A VILLAGE scarecrow competition has fallen victim to thieves for the second year running. Australia was theme of the event in Awliscombe, which received good support from local residents.

A VILLAGE scarecrow competition has fallen victim to thieves for the second year running.

Australia was theme of the event in Awliscombe, which received good support from local residents.

The route through the village has been festooned with various different characters from Down Under.

But, between 5pm and 7.30pm last Saturday, police say one of the scarecrows went missing from a location beside the A373.

Police Community Support Officer Phil Anning told the Midweek Herald: "This was an aboriginal character, sat on a chair playing the didgeridoo. The creator of the piece of art hopes that he has not been stolen but just gone 'walkabout'.

"If anyone saw him leave, or knows of his whereabouts, then please call Honiton Police station, quoting reference KH/10/312, and leave a message for me."

The scarecrow was painstakingly made by Ellie Pring, 14, who was the leading lady in Honiton Pantomime Society's 25th anniversary production of Cinderella.

The Woodroffe School student is hoping to be reunited with her artwork, which was judged before it went missing.

If you know where it is, call 08452 7774444.