Haddenham Scarecrow festival 'bigger than ever' despite Coronavirus lockdown

The festival opened on Monday June 1 and runs for a fortnight until Sunday June 14.

Against the odds, organisers have set up the festival and received 134 entrants, a best ever response.

The event has been organised by the Haddenham Association of Scouts and Guides

Francesca Flaxton, from the scouts and guides group, said: "We've had the best ever response with 134 fabulous scarecrows made by Haddenham residents during lockdown and displayed in their front gardens.

"Our previous record was in 2018 when we had 71 entries. The Festival opened on Monday 1st and runs for a fortnight until Sunday 14th June.

"The purpose of the Festival is to cheer people up by raising a smile, to bring the community together and to raise much needed funds for good causes. This year our chosen charity is the Medical Detection Dogs and in particular we're supporting their new research into the dogs' ability to detect Covid-19. We're aiming to raise £1500, but I think we'll smash that Target."]

Francesca believes this years edition has been so popular because families have had time at home during lockdown to make the scarecrows.

Trail maps are available online and in paper form from limited local locations.

Going 'Scarecrow spotting' provides villagers of all ages with a fun activity which can be done outdoors, whilst taking daily exercise and socially distancing.

The group are set to post a gallery of images on Haddenham.net today, so that people shielding or isolating