HILMARTON had its most successful scarecrow trail ever last weekend when more than £3,500 was raised for good causes.

This year’s theme was Wiltshire pubs and there were scarecrows representing all manner of familiar and unusual pub names in the village’s third annual trail.

Along with the adult trail there was also a children’s trail, themed around food and drink, as well as refreshments, a barbecue, a raffle and a cryptic quiz.

Organiser Natalie Doust said: “What a fantastic successful fun weekend.

“We are absolutely astonished as last year we raised £1,700 and this year it was a staggering £3,700.

“I would like to give a huge thank you to all our sponsors and everyone that donated prizes and came along.

“I think we need a few months off now before we begin to think what out of the ordinary theme we can come up with for next year.”

Nicola Bailey from Goatacre won the scarecrow trail with 40 correct answers and Jessica Tanner from Royal Wootton Bassett won the children's trail.

Visitors voted the Dakers family, with The Pickled Pilot, as the best scarecrow with Alex and Oliver Leach, with The George & Dragon, coming second and the Rhodes family with Blue Boar coming third.

The money raised from the festival will go to support nine-year-old Hilmarton primary school pupil Isobel Hodgkinson in her fight against cancer.

Isobel, from Goatacre, was diagnosed in November last year and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. In January, her sister Ruby, 11, raised more than £4,000 for children's cancer charity Clic Sargent with a charity head shave.

Financial support will also be given to Hilmarton Primary School, Hilmarton Pre-school and St Laurence Church.