Billy Connolly scarecrow stolen from garden near Big Yin's former home
Louise Haggerty is clutching at straws trying to track down her stolen Billy Connolly scarecrow.
It was nicked from her front garden just a few hundred yards from where the Big Yin himself lived in the late 70s.
Louise, 65, whose late brother-in-law Davie was Billy's minder and best pal when he was a resident in Drymen, Stirlingshire, is hoping the comedian himself might make an appeal for the scarecrow's return if he reads the Record.
She said: 'Every year as part of the Drymen Gala Day celebrations, there's a scarecrow competition and this year we decided to do Billy with his banana feet.
'It turned out great and you have no idea the number of people who stopped to photograph it. Some even climbed up to our fence to have their picture taken beside Billy.
'The gala committee decided on a Hawaiian theme for the scarecrows this year so we just shoved a garland round its neck.
'It was great. I went into the butcher's and he said it was the talk of the steamie.
'But on Saturday night, a car pulled up, and somebody jumped out and stole our scarecrow.
'It's wearing my leggings and T-shirt and I'd like them back.
'I was angry at first but we can see the funny side now.
'If the scarecrow is off on a haycation somewhere and somebody's getting pleasure from it, fair enough. But I'd hate to think it's been flytipped, because a lot of work went into it. I made the big banana feet from old oilskins and the hair, beard and eyebrows from sheep's wool I dyed black.
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'John even made a wee banjo for it. Just before it was stolen, John heard a lot of cackling and laughing and a horn beep, beep, beeping.
'He went outside and all that was left of Billy was his glasses.
'He's raging and says he'd like to get his hands on whoever stole Billy.
'It seems like it was just a quick grab and go.
'The gala was last month but I was going to leave it out until the end of August just because of the amount of interest it sparked.
'Whoever has taken it has ruined the fun and joy for other people.'
After the couple divorced, he moved to London and now lives in Florida with second wife Pamela Stephenson.
Louise said: 'We'd love to know where the scarecrow is now.
'John's brother Davie was great friends with Billy when he lived here all those years ago so maybe if he reads the Daily Record, he could put out an appeal for the return of the scarecrow and help us get it back.'
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