THIEVES have stolen a scarecrow promoting an upcoming festival for the second time.

Organisers of the East Rural Scarecrow Festival say the act has “spoilt the fun” they are trying to achieve.

The item was taken from farmland off Roman Road, Eccleshill, last week.

It had already been defaced with paint. It was put there to replace a Mad Professor scarecrow which was stolen from the same spot last month.

Coun Julie Slater, chair of the East Rural Network, said: “We are trying to put on something fun for the community and this is not on.”

The Scarecrow Festival is scheduled to take place on the weekend of July 2 to 4 in Hoddlesden.