Heartless vandals targeted a Wizard of Oz themed garden in Anstruther just hours after it was opened.
The culprits knocked the head off the Tin Man and toppled the Scarecrow at the Garden of Oz in Ladywalk.
It happened overnight after the garden had been launched on Wednesday by Anstruther Citizen of the Year, Pat Lawson.
Anstruther Community Council secretary Martin Dibley said the act showed “no respect” for the efforts of the Tuesday Task Force youth group, who spent months working on the garden.
“It’s pretty sad really,” said Mr Dibley.
“These young girls worked every Tuesday night for months to do this garden up and some mindless twit has a go at it the first night it is there.”
The garden was specially designed to be suitable for young children, but was created for the benefit of the whole community.
Mr Dibley said: “The girls went out and bought plants, and raised money to fund a Tin Man and the Scarecrow.
“They put so much effort, creativity and time into this and it shows a lack of respect.
“It’s wonderful to see young people involving themselves in the community. We tend to criticise young people for not wanting to get involved.”
The girls had support from the community council, Anstruther and Celladyke in Bloom, East Neuk Centre Trust and Tesco, as well as Ms Lawson and a Fife Council youth worker.
Police Scotland confirmed it was aware of the vandalism and would be looking into the matter.
The garden has now been put back together.
Gail Sorley from the community council added: “Unfortunately, some mild vandalism occurred in the garden overnight, and the police are now investigating.
“Straw from the Scarecrow was pulled out, the head of the Tin Man was knocked off and some trampling took place.”
She added that information about the vandalism could be passed to police or the community council, either by email or via Pets Pantry in the High Street.
