THERE won’t be a crow in sight over the skies of Purton this weekend when 40 scarecrows pop up around the village for the second Purton Scarecrow Trail.

Staged between 10am and 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, the hunt will be on to try and find each of the scarecrows which are currently being hidden around the village.

The first event held in 2014 saw hundreds of people - especially family groups - following the clues around the village to find each of the carefully crafted scarecrows.

The money raised was used to buy two cardiac defibrillators for the village which have since been bought and installed. Now the village needs to raise funds for maintenance of the equipment, such as replacement batteries and pads to keep the lifesaving devices in good working order.

Lindsey Hall, who sits on the Purton Scarecrow committee with just two other people, has been busy securing locations for each of the scarecrows to call their home this weekend. This year's theme is musicals and there will be 40 scarecrows dotted around the village, made by residents, clubs and local businesses.

“It’s a chance to have a look around the village and to meet other people who are having a fun time searching for the scarecrows,” she said. “A lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into making these scarecrows – it’s a real community effort. Hopefully the weather will be fine so it will be a fun day out for all.”

Quiz sheets costing £2, or £1 for a children’s mini map, have already gone on sale. They can be bought at Hiscocks Butchers, the Royal George Pub, or on the days at 3b High Street between 10am and 4pm and outside the shop opposite Purton Village Hall between 10am and noon on Saturday and Sunday.

Getting on board with the celebrations this weekend will be Purton Farm Shop who will be holding its annual Farm Open Day extravaganza on Saturday.

The event, which is part of the Soil Association’s Organic Your September campaign, is all about showing how a change in your diet can make a massive difference to your health.

There will be a chance to meet the piglets and do some scrumping for apples in the orchard. There will be a butchery demonstration and plenty of homemade refreshments.

Kate Robinson, Farm Shop manager, said: “We are passionate about supplying good healthy food and our Open Day is an opportunity to invite people to see how their food is produced.

“This year we're letting people get hands on with the harvest by doing a bit of scrumping in the orchard. We're delighted to be part of the Purton Scarecrow Trail which will get the whole village out and about for a great community event.”