Cumbrian parents have revealed how their terrified have children are suffering nightmares, as the 'creepy clown' craze sweeps the county.

As the masked pranksters leave some adults and children afraid to walk the streets at night however, a superhero has emerged to help restore peace.

Dozens of incidents have been reported in Cumbria in the past few days, where people donning clown masks jump out and scare strangers in the street.

And, while some argue it is harmless fun in the lead-up to Halloween, the fact that some of the 'clowns' have been armed with fake knives and blocks of wood has prompted many to warn that the fun's over.

The most terrifying west Cumbrian incident saw a seven-year-old boy left traumatised, while elsewhere two teenage girls were chased and a mum with a baby in a buggy was threatened.

Related: "Killer clown" fad escalates across Cumbria, with 19 incidents overnight

Cumbria police has warned it is no laughing matter, and promised it will take action against anyone terrorising others.

Among those urging people not to follow the trend is Jennie Cochrane.

Posting on the News & Star Facebook page, she said: "My two young daughters haven't even seen one out on the streets, just what's on the news, and they both were up with nightmares last night.

"They shared a bed with all night lights on to protect them from the stupid clowns.

"It's sick and the people doing it need their heads looked at. It's pathetic and it needs to end."

She was backed by fellow reader Keli Porter, who wrote: "Kids trick or treating is a Halloween tradition, not teenagers chasing people with knives. It [would] be a different story if trick or treaters were chasing people.

"These idiots are scaring poor children giving them nightmares. And even worse they could scare the wrong person and either get hurt themselves or set a panic attack of on someone or even worse.

"It's just wrong and can't be justified by any comment."

Emily Robinson said: "It's pathetic, something like this could scar a child for life."

Julie Atkinson added: "When you have a genuine fear of clowns it isn't funny at all."

However, it is not all doom and gloom.

In Whitehaven, it appears a superhero has swooped in, determined to help youngsters sleep easy tonight.

Cumbria Superheroes, a costume company, has sent 'Batman' out and about on the town's streets to fight off the evil clowns.

The man behind it insists he is not a vigilante, but is hoping to give children some reassurance that they are safe.