Send in the clowns? Don't bother, say phobics

The organisers of a rock festival have abandoned a circus theme for the event after complaints from people suffering from a fear of clowns.

Would-be festival-goers e-mailed to say they would not attend because they suffered from coulrophobia.

Organisers of the Bestival, an annual music festival on the Isle of Wight, were encouraging revellers to dress up in a circus theme for the September event. Last year 10,000 turned up as cowboys and Indians.

DJ Rob da Bank, an organiser of the event, headlined by the Scissor Sisters and Pet Shop Boys, said: "We have decided to change the fancy dress thing. We have had so many people with clown phobias contact us that I am worried everyone might end up hiding in the woods all weekend."