POLICE officers in Barrow have issued advice to anyone considering wearing a clown costume for Halloween.

Following on from a series of terrifying 'killer clown' incidents in Cumbria and across the world, police in Barrow have been asked to clarify if simply wearing a clown costume is likely to result in any response.

Although reported encounters appears to have died down, the issue is still relevant to those considering what costume to wear for Halloween on October 31.

On Twitter, Barrow Police issued some advice after a resident asked if it was illegal to wear a clown costume.

Ryan Boyd asked: "Just a quick question, has dressing up as a clown been banned? Mum has brought me one and can't return it or buy new one."

In response, Barrow Police said: "no nothing illegal about dressing as clown. but running after people and scaring them could be an offence."

Earlier this month, a Barrow mum and her toddler were left terrified after being confronted by a knife-wielding clown as they walked down the street.

Terri Wilson was with her two-year-old child walking through the lane between The Forum and Wilkinsons.

As she walked, a person wearing a clown mask emerged from the stairwell of the nearby multi-storey car park.

Miss Wilson, 25, said: "I was just walking with my daughter in Barrow by the Forum and Wilkos. We were walking and he came out of the stairway."

Miss Wilson quickly turned around and left the lane to get away from the clown.

She said: "He must have been waiting for someone, maybe more vulnerable. I think he was trying to scare us.

"I think it's ridiculous and terrifying. It's making people scared to leave their house."

The punishment for carrying a bladed item in public can range from a caution to a custodial sentence, based on age and previous incidents.

The rise in 'killer clown' encounters has led to police forces across England and Wales issuing stern warnings.

Cumbria Police warned that taking part in the so-called 'clown craze' is "not a joke".

Superintendent Mark Pannone said: "Dressing up as a clown to scare people may seem like a joke, but it is no laughing matter. The fear of such incidents is deeply upsetting children in Cumbria and causing them a great deal of distress. It will not be tolerated by police."