A 20 FOOT tall scarecrow on a massive wooden cross, which some Christians accused of "mocking Jesus", has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
The giant figure, which was erected in Barleylands Road in the first week of Lent, was burnt to the ground after being torched twice overnight on Thursday.
The charred remains of the scarecrow were discovered by workers at Barleylands Farm Park on Friday morning.
A smaller scarecrow next to its larger counterpart was left untouched.
"Incredibly distasteful", "making fun of Jesus" and "it freaks me out" were among the negative comments residents made about the scarecrow in last week's Gazette.
Others described it as being "fabulous" and "a bit of fun".
Firefighters attended the blaze at 11.23pm on Thursday and extinguished the flames within 17 minutes.
Then at 12.10am on Friday, the fire service was called out again, and the flames put out once more. It is believed that both fires were started deliberately.
David Finkle, general manager at Barleylands Farm Park and Craft Village, helped to make the scarecrows to promote the farm's half-term activities for children.
The structure took a team of four people two days to make.
Mr Finkle said: "There's nothing left of the scarecrow but there's an element of me which isn't surprised.
"We rolled in on Friday morning to see the scorched, blackened remains and our hearts sank.
"The fact they returned to set the scarecrow alight for a second time must have meant they had their minds set on destroying it.
"Essex Police said it must have taken a serious effort for the scarecrow to be reignited."
Staff have since removed the smaller scarecrow and the cross.
Police are investigating and anyone with information should contact them on 101.
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