Nine reports of 'creepy clowns' have been reported to Cumbria police over the weekend, including three in Carlisle.

In two incidents in the city, a man with face painted like a clown jumped out of bush on Newtown Road and chased another male along a river path and a boy, 13, was chased around Hammonds Pond by someone dressed as a clown.

In the third report, a female dog walker was scared by someone dressed as a clown on Blackwell Road.

A seven-year-old child was left "extremely distressed" after being approached by a clown brandishing what they believed to be an axe in Workington.

A police spokesman said the person in a clown mask approached the child outside the sports centre on The Cloffocks at 4pm yesterday with the intention of causing them fear.

It was initially believed they were carrying an axe but turned out to be a piece of wood or stick.

The offender left the scene on foot.

There was also a crazy clown report in Whitehaven, where it was believed young people would be going out dressed as clowns to scare children.

There have been two reports of clown incidents in Barrow and two in Kendal.

These incidents follow a series of similar reports involving so-called "creepy clowns" across the UK.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone who knows the identity of offenders to call them on 101.

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.

“We’d like to remind those that are thinking of taking part in this nationwide craze, to first think of the consequences. Such behaviour could lead to an arrest for a public order offence, possession of an offensive weapon or an assault.”