Residents of a housing estate are preparing for their second annual scarecrow trail in the lead up to Halloween.

The Fernhurst and Oakdale estate, close to Lower Darwen, will this weekend host its second Halloween Scarecrow Trail on Saturday 30 October.

There will be 38 households taking part, with the event raising money for the Lancashire Poppy Appeal.

Amy Rhodes, one of the trail’s organisers, said: “What started in lockdown to keep people’s spirits up is now becoming a much-loved event in our local calendar – one that people of all ages look forward to.

Lancashire Telegraph: Organiser Amy Rhodes at last years trail with a Boris Johnson scarecrow

Organiser Amy Rhodes at last year's trail with a Boris Johnson scarecrow

“There’s been a real buzz on the estate over the past few weeks as everyone’s been planning their scarecrows - and maybe some friendly rivalry too.

“Anyone who completes the trail also has the chance to win some fab prizes if they can find all 38 scarecrows.”

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen will be judging the scarecrows, awarding prizes for the best three.

This year’s Halloween scarecrow trail is open to anyone, with entry costing just £2 per family. The fun starts at 11am.

Lancashire Telegraph: Heather and son Arly with Booboo the joker at the event last year

Heather and son Arly with Booboo the joker at the event last year

There will be prizes on offer for the families that find the most scarecrows, including vouchers for Darwen’s Go Go Games, Rascals party and play centre, Wacky World, and Little Lancashire Village role play centre.

There are also 20 runner-up prizes of Halloween goodies.

Scarecrow hunters can pick up a trail map from the scarecrow trail stand on Jack Walker Way, opposite The Redeemer Primary School.

Co-organiser Laura Hindle added: “Our estate always shows a lot of support to our brave servicemen and women around this time of year.

“For the last few years we’ve been proudly displaying poppy emblems on 70 lampposts through the estate.

Lancashire Telegraph: Mark and Marco with their garden display last year

 Mark and Marco with their garden display last year

“When we had the idea of using this year’s Halloween scarecrow trail to fundraise for a charity, the Poppy Appeal was an obvious choice given how close we are to Remembrance Day.

“As well as raising money through entry to the scarecrow trail, our stand on Jack Walker Way will be selling Poppy Appeal merchandise.”

Local businesses have also donated prizes, such as hampers, for the best scarecrow creators and the Halloween hunters that find the most scarecrows around the estate.