PEOPLE in Wiltshire will be spoilt for choice in how to spend this bank holiday weekend.

The May Day bank holiday is once again the occasion for a number of high-profile events, including the Devizes Lions May Day Fair in the Market Place, The Wharf and on the Green all day on Monday; the Urchfont scarecrow festival and a special fundraising extravaganza in the village of Worton.

Urchfont's scarecrow festival, now in its seventh year, has become a must for people all over the county. It is on throughout the weekend.

Visitors are invited to take part in the Scarecrow Trail, in which they move round the village trying to solve cryptic and humorous clues in connection with scarecrows made and dressed by householders.

This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with 54 scarecrow displays. The theme is book titles. Visitors are directed to the village pond beside which is the tent where they can buy the trail map as well as coffee, tea, burgers, hot dogs and cakes.

The proceeds of the festival go towards village good causes, including the proposed community shop.

The profits from the May Day event at the Rose and Crown pub in Worton will also go towards providing a much-needed village shop, planned for the barn situated behind the pub.

The event begins at noon on Monday and includes pig and terrier racing, archery and maypole dancing as well as a home-baked cake stand, a bouncy castle and a head-garland stall.

It is the second time the community of Worton has held its May Day event at the Rose and Crown, but Devizes Lions May Day Fair is a much longer standing tradition.

Once again the hard-working local fundraisers will offer a wide range of entertainments for people looking to enjoy their day off work.

There will be bands, dancers, a Punch and Judy show, roundabouts and bouncy castles. There will be dog show on the Green and a display of classic cars in the Market Place.

As usual the wacky Devizes Majorwrecks male majorettes will be debuting their hilarious routine for 2004.

On Sunday, people from all over the country will be putting their best foot forward to raise money for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in its annual Sarsen trail sponsored walk and Neolithic marathon and half marathon.

The course starts at Avebury and takes participants across the Marlborough Downs to All Cannings and then via Salisbury Plain to Stonehenge.

Seend's second beer festival will be place on Saturday at the social club in Rusty Lane. The organisers promise a range of 20 beers to choose from as well as entertainment throughout the day and evening from bands such as the Outhouse Critics and the Hedge Monkeys. Entry is £4 , including a free festival glass, a first drink and a programme. The club bar will be open and club members get an extra drink free.