Event at children's hospital cancelled over 'killer clown' craze

A clown production company has been forced to cancel an event at a children's hospital due to fears they would be confused for the "killer clown" craze sweeping across the North East.

The Clown Doctors, who include Dr Rumtumtumich, Dr Lulu McDoo and Dr Poppy Sneezitoff, were due to celebrate 10 years of visiting sick children by putting on a special event at the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle.

But due to the sinister trend that came across from the United States, security at the Royal Victoria Infirmary advised them to postpone the event.

Mr Wilson added that the work they do with the youngsters is part of the therapeutic treatment they receive - and during the 10 years they have met more than 30,000 children.

In response to the craze, police forces across the region have warned that jokers or criminals using the costumes to scare innocent members of the public will face arrest - as they deal with a wave of reports.

Fancy dress shops have been asked not to sell clown costumes to anyone they think might be a prankster amid the ongoing "killer clown" craze.

Police in Newcastle and Gateshead have visited shops to ask them not to sell the costumes to anyone they suspect might be up to no good, as the US-born fad continues to grip the UK.