He could be off to see the Wizard of Oz to ask for a heart and a brain, but it is more likely the Twickenham scarecrow named Tin Man was stolen from his allotment perch.

Pupils from Trafalgar Infants' School and Trafalgar Junior School used to wave at Tin Man, who was made completely out of tin cans, every day as they walked past Meadway Allotments on their way home.

The scarecrow belonged to the McLaughlins of Rivermeade Avenue, Twickenham. David Mclaughlin's parents, who live in Fife, Scotland, painstakingly constructed the scarecrow two years ago for their three grandchildren.

The metal scarecrow was made out of cat food tins, bean cans, large paint pots and lots of other cans.

Mr McLaughlin said: "Granny and Grandpa made it out of tin cans. He looked like the Tin Man out of the Wizard of Oz. Our allotment backs on to Kneller Gardens. Lots of children used to stop and wave and say hello Tin Man'.

"I have asked Granny to send down the instructions so we can make another one.

"There are different cans for the body, head, arms and legs with the fingers made out of lids," said Mr McLaughin.

"Now we have to save up all the cans before making a new Tin Man."

In the Wizard of Oz, Scarecrow asks the Wizard for a brain and the Tin Man asks for a heart.

Mr McLaughlin suspects their Tin Man was taken by a couple of yobs, but not to Oz.

He said whoever took him probably threw him into the river.

The Twickenham Tin Man was stolen between the night of Saturday, July 1, and Thursday, July 6. On the same night a neighbouring allotment was vandalised and two chickens were killed.

The theft has been reported to the police.

If anyone has any information contact Kathy Fenwick at Twickenham police station on 020 8247 7042.