Nancy the scarecrow slows down speeding cars, her creator claims

The figure, dressed as a police officer holding a speed gun, is credited with a big fall in the number of speeding cars in Middleton-in-Teesdale, by her owner.

Nancy stands in the garden of Stella Anderson's home, in Laneside, which has a 30mph limit.

But Durham Police have warned Mrs Anderson she could be in trouble with the law if Pc Nancy caused an accident.

Mrs Anderson said: "It is just a little bit of fun, but she certainly seems to have slowed down the speeders."

Straw-stuffed

The scarecrow has become the talk of the village, but not everyone was happy with her law-enforcing effect and decapitated the scarecrow.

However, she was returned to duty as soon as her straw-stuffed head was back on.

She even received plaudits from the leader of Durham County Council, whose official driver pulled over for a better look.

Durham Police, which only operates mobile speed cameras, accepted the funny side of the new recruit, but warned Mrs Anderson she could be in trouble with the law if Pc Nancy caused an accident.

Mrs Anderson said: "The police have never approached us about it, but if they were not happy I would take her down."