THE October half-term holiday is approaching and strange things have started appearing at Shortwood Farm, near Bromyard.

At the farm entrance visitors will be welcomed by the gaping jaws of a giant monster which is snaking its way out of the hedgerow.

But there's no need to be alarmed: this is just one of the straw sculptures which have been created by farm owner David Legge, who has also made a huge tractor, a straw man and several smaller animals.

He said: "It's amazing what can be created with a few straw bales and a telescopic loader. It's great fun and I thought that my creations would be something else to entertain people when they visit us during half term."

The farm will be open from tomorrow (Saturday, October 25) until the following Friday.

All the usual farm activities such as animal-feeding, hand-milking and pig-racing will be going on as well as a treasure hunt and autumn crafts for the children.

For the more active this half-term, Zig Zag Coaching has once again teamed up with Malvern Hills District Council to offer its Zig Zag Zoomers for the five-eight age group, and Zig Zag StylerZ aimed at the nine-14year-olds, at Sport Dyson Perrins.

Among the activities to suit all ages will be dodgeball, capture the flag, den building, arts and crafts, and football. To book, contact Info@ZigZagCoaching.co.uk, or 07510 990969.

And youngsters with an artistic bent might want to make their way to Malvern Theatres which is holding two special workshops as part of the Big Draw national initiative.

The free sessions, on the theme of It's Our World, and taking inspiration from the Malvern Hills, are on Monday, October 27 for five-seven year olds and Thursday. October 30, eight-ten year olds, and are free to take part in.

And all weeks at Croome Court, near Upton, the National Trust will be marking Halloween with spooktacular outdoor and indoor trails to find the monsters, scary storytelling and pumpkin-carving craft sessions. To find out more, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/croome.