WILTSHIRE Council dumped 'Boris' the scarecrow behind The Secret Garden's shed after deeming it "distasteful".

The scarecrow was spotted in the gardens on Bourne Hill by visitors last week and it got quite the reception on Facebook.

'Boris' was a culmination of ideas from the volunteers who manage The Secret Garden and it was entered into Salisbury City Council's scarecrow competition.

However, Wiltshire Council removed it.

Andy Brown, corporate director for resources and deputy chief executive of Wiltshire Council, said: "Political statements are not allowed on Wiltshire Council property, however light-hearted the intent." 

Salisbury Journal: 'UNEMPLOYED. Please give generously. Wife and _ _ _ _ to support," is scrawled across the donation box dangling from the champagne bottle. Picture: Spencer Mulholland. 'UNEMPLOYED. Please give generously. Wife and _ _ _ _ to support," is scrawled across the donation box dangling from the champagne bottle. Picture: Spencer Mulholland.

Despite the scarecrow's removal, Salisbury City Council took pictures and volunteers hope the mayor will still consider the entry in the competition.

Penelope Ibbs, treasurer of The Salisbury Garden Volunteers, said 'Boris' was created during Partygate and the champagne bottle he's holding was from the team's Jubilee party.

Describing the ordeal as "a bit of a sense of humour failure", Penelope said: "It was not done as a political statement, it was done as a joke.

"They dumped it behind the shed but he's now in the potting area with his mask removed. An executive at Wiltshire Council deemed it to be in poor taste."

Salisbury Journal: The scarecrow now sits in the restricted potting area.The scarecrow now sits in the restricted potting area.

Penelope explained that the scarecrow was complete before Boris Johnson coincidentally said he would resign as Prime Minister.

One Secret Garden visitor looked at the mask-less scarecrow, without knowing his back-story, and said: "He looks like Boris!" 

Volunteers meet at the garden, located behind Wiltshire Council's offices, on Tuesday and Sunday every week, and Penelope hopes to maintain the "cooperative relationship" she has with the council.

The Bourne Hill Secret Garden is accessible to the public and Penelope is encouraging everyone to visit and see the hard work the volunteers put in to maintain the beautiful area.

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