THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to a village near Devizes to take part in Wiltshire's original scarecrow festival.

Organisers of the 21st scarecrow trail in Urchfont are delighted that visitors will be able to guess the identity of 52 crows that will be dotted about the village from May 5 to 7.

This year the scarecrows will be dressed to represent people from musicals, stage and screen. Committee chairman Robert Pendry has already created his contribution as he will be too busy in the run up to the festival to still be building.

He said: "I have had to get organised but a lot of people are still putting the finishing touches to their scarecrows. We have a number of people entering for the first time this year which is fantastic."

Visitors can buy a trail map and programme and walk around the village solving the clues and matching them to the scarecrows. A special children's quiz is also available, with different picture clues for them to solve at each scarecrow location.

Prizes are awarded for the best entries, and there is a lucky programme draw. There is also a trophy for the best Scarecrow, voted by the public.

Money raised goes to village and community good causes in the parish and a large donation is also given to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance each year.