VISITORS have turned sleuths to solve a murder mystery.

A mystery trail around East Hendred has been created to raise cash for the village museum.

For just £2, amateur sleuths can buy a story sheet and questionnaire, and go in search of clues hidden around the village to try to unmask the murderer.

East Hendred Entertains, a local group that raises money for good causes, has joined up with the Hendred Heritage Trust, which runs the village museum, to stage the drama.

Val Prior, of East Hendred Entertains, said: “We have done it before. We’re sleuths ourselves – we watch anything macabre.

“We came up with this well-to-do family and a plot full of twists and turns, and got people in the village to take up each character.”

Ms Prior, and fellow villagers Sonia and Sue Roberts, devised the plot and characters for the mystery – called A Family Affair – which runs until Monday, November 5.

David Hunter, 65, an accountant who lives in the village, was given the role of private detective Miss Sharples.

He said: “I am playing Miss Sharples for my sins, because I have tended to play a dame in the pantomime. East Hendred Entertains is an amazing organisation, it is a great representation of the Big Society, they just got together and decided to form a charity.”

  • Trail sheets are available for £2 each from Hendred Stores and Champs Chapel.