THE annual Kington Langley Scarecrow Festival, held over last weekend (June15-16) raised over £2,500 for local charity Doorway after choosing the organisation as the recipient of its Elizabeth Coles Award.

Organiser Keri Allan said: "Overall the event went really well, especially since the weather was ‘changeable’, although the sun did grace us with its presence on Sunday.

"We estimate around 2,000 people attended over the weekend and we hope to exceed the figures raised last year to donate to local and charitable causes.

"As things currently stand we should be able to give at least £2,000 to our main charity this year, Doorway.

"The festival is way for us to fundraise for the various charity and community projects based in and around Kington Langley.

"Through sales of programmes and refreshments we have raised over £35,000 over the years, benefitting organisations like Kington Langley DeFib units, Langley Fitzurse CofE Primary School, 1304 Chippenham Air Cadets as well as the village WI, church, chapel, croquet club and playing fields."

The festival featured more than 60 different scarecrows, themed around ‘brands’, scattered around a village trail with trail maps on sale.

There were some impressive creations including one for GWR, the Great Western Railway with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as well as a full scale tractor made from hay bales.

As well as the scarecrow trail, there was live music from local bands, plus artists, games, craft stalls and circus skills workshops.

A barbecue and refreshments helped to boost funds for the chosen charity plus the ‘scrapheap challenge’ competition for visitors to make their own scarecrows was a success.

The scarecrow trail also featured a chance for villagers to test their skill shooting croquet balls at the Kington Langley Croquet Club's croquet pig.