ORGANISERS of one of Wiltshire's biggest scarecrow trails feared torrential rain might have made their event a wash out at the weekend but weather gods proved to be on their side.

Instead of the downpour expected on Sunday and Monday visitors to Urchfont Scarecrow Festival were greeted by mainly dry and sometimes even sunny weather.

Committee chairman Robert Pendry said: "We got away with it from the weather point of view. Just 24 hours before the weekend the forecast was for heavy rain on both Sunday and Monday but we got away with just the odd shower."

The three day festival took around £40,000 which will mean about £20,000 will go to good causes.

Mr Pendry was delighted with the standard of the scarecrows created using the theme sublime to the ridiculous.

Villagers created crows from the world of film, television, books and current affairs to leave those following the trail scratching their heads at a number of clues.

Mr Pendry said: "Some people make the mistake of just trying to guess from looking at the scarecrows and don't take enough notice of the clues.

"We had a couple of scarecrows dressed in army fatigues so people immediately think Dad's Army but that was not necessarily the right answer."

His own scarecrow was of Baldrick from Black Adder while another was of Captain Mainwaring.

Other scarecrows featured Donald Trump, astronaut Tim Peake and cartoon character Dick Darstadly from Wacky Races.

Organisers were pleased that the 17th running of the festival attracted a large number of new people.

Mr Pendry said: "We rely on a lot of repeat business but this year there were a good number of new people which is great.

"Everything went well and people seemed impressed with the scarecrows."

A full list of the scarecrows answers will appear on the festival's Facebook page along with the names of the £100 winner for the first fully correct entry, £100 lucky programme draw winner and winner of the £25 for the children's competition.

A thank you party for villagers will be held on May 19 when the winner of the best scarecrow, as judged by visitors, will be announced.