URCHFONT Scarecrow Festival chairman Robert Pendry was delighted and relieved with the success of this year's trail after wet weather did not take the glitz off the Oscars themed event.

He said: "I think Monday was the best one we have ever had. There was some rain on Saturday and Sunday so we probably didn't quite reach last year's record breaker but overall it was fantastic."

Around 10,000 people visited the village over three days to try and solve clues leading to the identity of the scarecrows based on Oscar winning films.

Some such as Shrek, Toy Story and Titanic were easy to guess while others from the early days of film making such as Mrs Minerva and Disraeli had people scratching their heads.

Mr Pendry said: "My own Titanic scarecrow by the pond was probably one of the easiest to guess but even though I am quite clued up on films I would have found some of them difficult.

"But a lot of people do take it seriously and usually about 20 per cent of those who return their forms get all of the answers right."

This year there were a total of 56 scarecrows dotted around the village. Mr Pendry said: "We usually have between 50 and 55 so I think this is the most ever.

"It was good because there were a number of new people taking part and the standard was very high."

A competitive edge is added to the event for villagers as prizes are given for the best scarecrows as voted on by the public taking part in the trail.

Mr Pendry said: "We will announce the results at a thank you party in the village hall on May 17 but everything is hush hush until then."

This year's was the 18th running of the festival which was started as a fundraiser for the refurbishment of the village hall.

Last year more than £23,000 was donated to around 30 different community groups and organisations and it is hoped a similar amount will have been raised in 2015.

Since 2006 money from the festival has also gone to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and it will be among the beneficiaries again this year. The final amount will be announced at the party.