AMILIES in Tadley and Baughurst have been on the hunt for scarecrows in the last week.

Organised by a group of mums in the area, families were invited to hunt down the 29 different scarecrows dotted around the two area.

The theme of the trail was nursery rhymes, with each scarecrow being allocated a letter which would reveal the answer to a puzzle.

An array of businesses and families got involved decorating their own scarecrow and displaying them in their windows, gardens or buildings from August 5 until August 12.

The event was thought up by Melanie Russell and Amanda Casey.

Amanda said: “We were going around to different villages doing them, so we thought why not do one in Tadley?

“The response was great with people coming up with some really inventive designs and we even had people braving the rain to take part which was great.”

The event cost a pound to get a map to find all the various locations, and upon finishing the trail entrants could vote for their favourite scarecrows.

First prize of £50 went to the Forest Close mums for their sleeping bunnies scarecrow, with second prize going to the Cooke family with 'little no peep' and bronze going to Tadley Fire Station with its London’s burning scarecrow.

All the money raised from the event will go towards Tadley and Baughurst scout and guide groups.

After the success of the trail Amanda told the Gazette plans are already in place to go bigger and better next year.

She said: “It was great to have the nursey’s and Tadley Fire Station involved but I would like to get more businesses involved next year.

“For families it is a cheap day out and it is a great way for children to get involved in a fun activity.”