SPOILSPORT thieves have stolen two Jubilee-themed scarecrows from a Richmondshire village, ahead of a competition today. (2) Villagers in Skeeby, near Richmond, realised one of the scarecrows that had been sitting outside the boarded up Traveller’s Rest pub had disappeared on Wednesday morning.

Skeeby resident Gwyneth Wright displayed her quoitman-themed scarecrow outside the pub in reference to the quoits team that used to meet and play there.

Mrs Wright said: “He was dressed in a red quoits polo shirt, blue knitted hat and black jeans, and was carrying quoits and a beer flask.

“I made him for the Skeeby Jubilee Scarecrow Competition today and quite a lot of effort went in to making him.

“Most of all my husband will want his red shirt and hat back.”

The scarecrow was put out on Monday, and Mrs Wright said at least one other scarecrow from the village had been taken too.

“It is probably youths driving through and taking them because they think it is funny but it is annoying.

“It has been really nice for the village because it brought everyone together - it was definitely a talking point.”

It is the first time the village has held a scarecrow competition and will be as part of the Jubilee celebrations including archery, a barn dance, Jubilee lunch and a photograph of all the villagers.

Mrs Wright added: “People have been very inventive with their scarecrows - many were making light fun of the pub.

“There was a window cleaning scarecrow, even thought there are no windows, and there was a plasterer because the walls need rendering.

Skeeby Parish Council chairman Paul Rummerey said: “There must be nearly 30 scarecrows in the village now, including a diver next to the stream, lots of Queens and Prince Philips - people have been extremely imaginative.

“The level of support from people in the village has been tremendous.”

The competition was judged by 90-year-old John Lovell, who was chairman of the parish council for many years.