FRONT gardens in Wroughton will soon be the temporary homes of an army of 6ft scarecrows, many of them with red noses.

A competition to find the best home-made Worzel Gummidge-type figure is being organised by the village carnival committee, and there will be a £50 prize for the winner.

Competitors are being asked to give their entries a carnival-style image.

The contest is just one of the attractions planned for the week before carnival day on Saturday, July 7.

And already 11-year-old Lizzie Webb and Nick Burch, 10, have been chosen to reign over the village's big day as prince and princess.

Lizzy, of Prior's Hill, and Nick, who lives in Inverary Road, both go to Wroughton Junior School.

On carnival day they will head a procession of floats in an open top car supplied by local garage Haskins Ltd and decorated by former professional florist Sylvia Peters.

Organisers are hoping to beat the £11,000 proceeds handed over to local charities last year after the village's 11th carnival.

"It will be a tall order, though," said secretary Ros Grout, landlady of the Brown Jack pub. "Last year's event was such a terrific one."

But six committee stalwarts who had been involved with all 11 stood down and for several months it was doubtful whether there would be a 12th.

"It can be really hard work before, during and after the event," said Ros. "Fortunately enough people volunteered to make this year's carnival possible.

"But we would be grateful for more volunteers to help with marshalling, erecting lighting and a score of other jobs on the day."

Money raised this year will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Prospect Hospice.

Volunteers can call Ros on 01793 812403. There is still time to enter floats in the parade. Ring Paul and Hazel Hurst on 01793 813985 for details. And there is also room for seven more stalls on the Weir Field recreation ground. Contact Belinda Hatherall on 01793 812455.