Clowns weekend - Keeping it in the family: kids keep up proud tradition

The brothers, real names Charlie Le Beau and Harry Le Beau, were joined by their father, Tony, for Sunday's (March 8) parade through the town.

It was the first time the trio from Dagenham had taken part in the procession.

But it was the third year in which Charlie, 12 '“ complete with a toy clown on a trolley '“ had dressed up as a clown for the big occasion.

He said: "I enjoy making people laugh. It makes me feel happy. I've got a box of magic tricks and I can spin three plates at a time.

"I like coming to see Conk the Clown and Bubbles as well. I hope to become a clown when I leave school."

Tony, 38, said he had become a clown for the first time to enable his sons to take part in the parade.

"This weekend is brilliant for the kids, and I'm just a big kid really," he stated.

The family was completed on holiday by mum, Melanie, 36.

A total of 85 clowns '“ including seven from Denmark and one from the USA '“ spent the weekend in Butlins in Bognor.

This was the fourth year in which Clowns International had joined with the holiday company and Bognor Regis Town Council to stage the event.

CI chairman Rainbow the Clown said: "Bognor is special for our group because we started the event here 25 years ago.

"It's nice to be back again. It's a good way to get people together and create an atmosphere of entertainment for people.

"We need it at the moment. It's all doom and gloom on the news wherever you look.

"We need to take our minds away from it, even if for only a little period of time."

Saturday saw the clowns entertain the holidaymakers at Butlins with acts such as plate spinning, unicycling, juggling and stilt walking.

There was slapstick as well, courtesy of Silkie the Clown and his two daughters Appy Anna, 14, and Ally Pally, 13, who made the journey from Rowley Regis.

They aimed to build on their success last year as the best slapstick award.

Silkie explained: "Our act is in the tradition of Bruce Forsyth and Norman Wisdom, though we are not as good as them.

"This is our fourth year here. We love coming because of the atmosphere and the people are so friendly."

One of the clowns from Denmark, Jo Jo, 58, was among those at the first of the international clowns' conventions in 1984.

"I've come to a lot of the conventions. I have a good time here and I bring a lot of Danish clowns with me," he explained.

"The people are good to us, it's a fun time and it's nice to meet up with other clowns again.

"Being a clown is all about relating to people. It's one big game between us and them, making them laugh."

Bedford's Streaky the clown, 81, had 60 years of experience to call upon last weekend.

"I first came to the convention in 1985 and I've been every year since," he said proudly.

Some things have stayed the same for ever-present Dizzy Dez, 82, from Derby, who proudly wore his 1991 clowns' convention silver medal for his parade ability.

He explained: "It's great to see the looks on the children's faces when they laugh and grin."

A service for the clowns was led by the Rev Roly Bain at St Thomas a'Becket Church in Pagham..