THOUSANDS of families transformed the quiet village of Kington Langley into a buzzing celebration of all things scarecrow this weekend.

The Kingston Langley Scarecrow Festival, now in its 16th year and totalling 1.5 miles in length, had a “hobbies” theme for its 71 scarecrows centred around the village green.

The scarecrows, all locally crafted, came in all shapes in sizes, and it is expected to once again raise around £10,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and other local causes.

Event organiser Steve Howe said: “It has been a fantastic success. We have been very lucky with the weather, it has been so busy and it seems everyone had a wonderful two days.

“People have come as far as Birmingham to take on the trail, it has definitely been our biggest and best edition yet and for that I am very pleased.

“I am hoping we can raise around £10,000 – if we get that I will be a very happy man.

“Elizabeth Coles founded this event 16 years ago and without her work this would not be the success story it is today. I would like to think she would have very much liked it today.”

In addition to the trail, attendees were treated to a full programme of entertainment including a ‘sound stage’ showcasing local bands, singers and choirs.

On top of that people could enjoy barbeques, a tea tent, cream teas, face painting, donkey rides, stalls, rides and much more.

“It is quite difficult coming up with a theme every year, especially when you have so many scarecrows to put up but the feedback from everyone has been great,” said Mr Howe.

“Each and every year I am amazed by the amount of support we receive, how many people turn up and how much is raised – it is a brilliant event.

“That would not be possible without our superb volunteers, all 60 of them who have been the bedrock of this entire event, we could not have done this without them for sure.”

With help from clues in the programme, visitors were invited to guess as many scarecrow titles as they could with the winner getting a £100 prize.

Over the years £30,000 has been raised for the likes of Kington Langley DeFib units, Langley Fitzurse Primary School, 1304 Chippenham Air Cadets, the women’s institute, church, chapel, croquet club and playing fields.