A FAMILY of scarecrows who raised thousands of pounds for a church were decimated in a blaze started by ‘reckless’ arsonists.

The scarecrows – Vince and Honesty Potts and their two children – were used to sell plants to raise cash for a church in Yelford near Witney before they were reduced to ashes in the fire.

People living in the mostly crime-free area have been left stunned by the crime, with fears it could have easily spread and put family homes at risk.

The scarecrows have been a presence in Yelford for several years and were used to sell plants to passersby via an honesty box to raise funds for St Nicholas and St Swithun, the sixth smallest parish church in the country.

Starting with a single scarecrow, Miss Potts, the story has developed over time like a soap opera. She met a suitor, her gardener Vince, and, despite the relationship not always being plain sailing, they tied the knot. They went on to have two children together.

It was Shirley Warren, 67, who first created Miss Potts as a means of getting rid of her old gardening clothes before expanding the story over time to entertain her family and people passing through.

She said: “It was my neighbour who first spotted the arson attack and called me to let me know. It was upsetting but you can’t not get over it.

“It has been loads of fun and I’ve met lots of really interesting people – I’ve got to remember that.

“Whoever did it must be some kind of sad case – but Honesty will rise again.”

Tragedy struck the Potts clan, who together have raised more than £2,000 for the church, on Friday night when they were obliterated in the attack.

Chairwoman of the Hardwick-with-Yelford Parish Meeting, Deborah Rogers, who believes the fire must have been started by someone from outside the 12-home hamlet, said the scarecrows put smiles on the faces of those passing through.

She added: “I’m distressed that the scarecrows have been burned when they were collecting money for a wonderful cause. It was a great sadness to see their burned remains, I have to say.

“But my biggest concern is that this is a reckless act in terms of the proximity of the fire to family homes. The people who have done this have not only been extremely selfish but also unbelievably reckless. It served no purpose and potentially put people at risk.”

County councillor Charles Matthew said: “I find it very sad that it’s given someone satisfaction. It is a totally and utterly pointless crime.”

Police did not respond to a request for comment.