15861/03Urchfont Scarecrow Festival, which was the first in Wiltshire, takes place over the May Day bank holiday.

For the eighth year, visitors will go on a trail round the village one of the most popular in the Devizes area to identify the scarecrows which have been dressed in accordance with a set theme.

This year the theme is Songs and Music and all the scarecrows are dressed to represent well-known songs or music.

The festival programme, on sale at £2 from a visitor centre beside the duck pond, have cryptic clues against each scarecrow number.

Richard Hawkins, chairman of the organising committee, said: "All the family can have a fun day as everyone can play their part in working out the answers, even the youngest, who are often the best at spotting the next display."

Programmes with all the correct answers go into a prize draw one for children and one for adults and all entrants are entered for a prize, so the more programmes you buy, the better your chance of winning.

There is also a plant sale at Newbury House and an art exhibition at St Michael's Church. Refreshments, including a barbecue, teas and a beer tent, will be available Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am to 5pm.

The Urchfont Community Shop, which opened in February beside the Lamb Inn, will be also be open throughout the festival.