POLICE have removed a child-like scarecrow from the side of the road after receiving complaints from members of the public.

The miniature scarecrow, which was sat on a child's bike, had been placed underneath the Welcome to Weaverham sign on Northwich Road, with one driver actually mistaking it for an unaccompanied child.

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On Monday morning, father of the three Silvio Pacitti was taking his children to a nearby school when he spotted what he thought was a child on a bike at the side of the road, causing him to slam on his brakes.

He said: "I was driving towards St Bede's Primary to drop my kids off.

"I was doing around 40mph, which is the speed limit, when I noticed this figure.

"Right away I thought it was a child on a bike, but after looking around I couldn't see an adult anywhere nearby.

"It was then that I decided to slam on the brakes as I thought it was an unattended child on a bike and they were far too close to the road.

"It was only when I got really close to it I realised it was actually a scarecrow."

Northwich Guardian: Dad of three Silvio Pacitti took this photo after mistaking the scarecrow for a child on a bike.

Dad of three Silvio Pacitti took this photo after mistaking the scarecrow for a child on a bike

Mr Pacitti went on to say how he felt anger about the fact it had been placed in such a dangerous location and partially hidden by the road sign.

"Not everyone is a confident driver and it could have caused someone to panic," he said.

"I can maybe understand the gesture that was being made to raise awareness, but just not in that way."

He reported the matter to Cheshire police and later on Monday afternoon, local PCSO Michelle Gillett removed the scarecrow from the scene and returned it to its owner.

She said: "Due to road safety concerns the realistic looking child scarecrow on Northwich Road has been removed and returned to its owner to be relocated to a safer location."

Commenting on the Weaver and Cuddington Police Facebook page, several residents found the incident funny, while others agreed it was too much of a distraction to drivers.

Shell Massey posted: "I didn't find it funny at all it could have caused a serious accident. Well done PCSO Michelle."

Tracy McDougall added: "I must admit I panicked when I saw it from afar and couldn’t see an adult in sight."

While Peter Leese commented: "But it made most of us slow down."