Can we have more of this, please!

Margaret Simmons watched as Joseph Reavey, five, and his older brother, Peter, seven, had fun with Furry Foot the Clown and Big Betty.

Her boys revelled in the chance join the costumed characters with some of their tricks in the London Road precinct on Saturday morning.

Glenwood estate resident Mrs Simmons, 41, said: "I think it's fantastic seeing the clowns here. I would like to see more street entertainment in Bognor like this.

"I used to live in York and we had entertainers every weekend '“ magicians, fire eaters, stilt walkers. It was really good because they make a town centre more lively."

Joseph agreed. "The clowns are fun. I enjoy playing with them. I like spinning plates and playing ball games," he said, keeping two plates spinning at once.

They planned to watch the parade on Sunday. Peter took part in last year's procession dressed as a clown.

A few paces further north up the precinct was Mr Custard and an enthralled audience gathered round him on a seat.

Among those watching his act were Isabel Carpenter, seven, and her sister, Chloe, five. Isabel has been an ever-present along with her family from Winchester since the clowns returned to Bognor in 2006.

She said: "Mr Custard was really fun and he was good at tricks. When I came last year, a clown sang a song especially about me, which I enjoyed.

"When I told my friends at school that I was coming here to see the clowns, they wanted to hear all about it when I went back."

She was among a party of 12 relatives staying at Butlins among some 4,500 guests at its sell-out Circus, Circus weekend.

Her father, Daniel Carpenter (38), said: "The children have been very excited about coming here again.

"The children enjoy the clowns, the parade and all the acts taking place in Butlins. It just beats the normal family weekends because it is something different."

Saturday morning saw four clowns in the precinct entertaining the crowds.