FROM the Spice Girls to Elvis, Highworth was transformed into a quirky music hall of fame for its annual scarecrow trail.

No fewer than 40 pop legends, classical composers and rock stars fashioned out of straw and sporting glittering costumes were placed at the four corners of the town during Easter, and families asked to track them all down and guess their identity – although it was not always an easy task.

The trail, which ended yesterday after nine days, saw hundreds of people take up the challenge organised by Highworth Scouts.

Again this year, the popular festivities are expected to raise £600 for the organisation.

John Storey, Highworth Scouts leader said more villagers each year used their ingenuity to create an impressive array of scarecrows.

“The theme this year was World of Music, so people had to get creative,” he said.

“It’s a fun thing to do and it’s growing each year. The Scouts made five or six and the rest were made by the community. Some of them were a bit cryptic.

“The trail started at the end of the High Street and people followed a map to find them all.

“It’s definitely a family event. And we get schools involved to make scarecrows.

“We had quite a few good ones this year like Elvis, Handel and the Spice Girls.”

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Thad Loring-Lee with a musical pal

The challenger who guessed the identity of all 40 scarecrows will win a meal for two at the White Horse. The most impressive scarecrow, as voted by the villagers, will also be awarded a prize. The winners will be announced next week.

“We came up with the idea when we saw a scarecrow trail in Lacock and we thought we could do it in Highworth,” he added.

“It has been going for six years now and hundreds of people take part every year.

“They are quite easy to find and often people take photos of them to work out who they are at home.”