A clown's convention ended with a colourful cavalcade of circus funny men.

It was squirting buttonholes, red noses, outlandish shoes and slapstick galore as they paraded through Bognor at the end of a fourday knees-up.

Clowns from as far away as the Azores travelled to Butlins for the rally and yesterday, 85 members of Clown International set off on a two-mile farewell parade through the resort.

Hundreds of people cheered them on as they walked through Bognor - clowning around, of course.

Pancake the Clown said: "The rally was fantastic. One clown is always fun, so 85 clowns are 85 times the fun.

"This year is Clown International's 60th birthday, so it's even more special for us."

The oldest clown d e l e g a t e was 84- year-old Hal Brooks, also known as Kerby Drill. He had the shortest distance to travel being a Bognor man.

And one of the youngest clowns was 2 2 - y e a r - o l d M a t t h e w Indge, known professionally as Zaz. He grew up in Bognor but now lives in London.

Bognor Town Council welcomed the clowns by dusting down four huge clown faces, which had been in storage for ten years, and hanging them along London Road.

Mayor John Hayward hosted a dinner and reception in honour of the clowns, who work in circuses, perform at birthday parties and corporate events or ply their trade as street entertainers.

A big top tent, lent by Zippos Circus, was put up in the Butlins staff car park for the duration of the event.

The clowns had the chance to attend seminars and workshops on everything from business administration to makeup.

Make-up is an important part of a clown's "motley" as each performer has his or her own distinctive style.

Each clown's style of make-up is painted on to a clay egg, which is stored at Clowning International's museum in London and acts as a copyright.