A clown wearing colourful pantaloons, huge shoes and a flashing police helmet was strip searched by airport security guards.
Dave Vaughan, 60, who was due to perform for sick children as PC Konk, also had his plastic handcuffs confiscated at Birmingham International Airport.
Mr Vaughan was with a crowd of 100 disadvantaged youngsters about to board a charity flight around Britain when he set off a metal detector.
He was then stripped to his underwear and had his plastic scissors, toy camera, wacky glasses and bubble saxophone examined.
Security chiefs at Birmingham International Airport let him go after 10 minutes when they discovered a metal clip which holds up his huge baggy trousers had set off the alarm.
Mr Vaughan, from Shard End, Birmingham, had been booked by the Variety Club Midlands for the Search For Santa trip.
He joked: "I showed them my police-clown identity card, which had my picture next to the my credentials as a member of the Criminal Insane Department, but I don't think that really helped.
"I'm clearly no terror threat or security risk, I'm a kid's clown dressed as a comedy policeman. It was a bit embarrassing to be honest, I had to remove my clown shoes, pantaloons, flashing police helmet - the lot."
An airport spokesman said: "PC Konk certainly did a great job of keeping everyone at the airport entertained, however, he was required to give in his handcuffs at security in line with national security regulations.
"PC Konk then passed speedily through before getting on with the important job of putting smiles on the faces of the Variety Club children, who all enjoyed a day to remember."
Source
I had to force myself to NOT use BTAS and/or TDK Joker. I'm spent.
