AIRPORT security staff strip-searched a clown because they thought he might be a terrorist.
Children's entertainer Dave Vaughan - aka PC Konk the Clown - was frisked by guards after setting off an alarm.
He was ordered to take off his circus outfit and strip down to his shorts and T-shirt.
Dave was trying to board a flight for disadvantaged kids and had been booked by Variety Club Midlands to perform on the Search for Santa trip, which involved a one-hour flight.
He was even made to hand over his plastic handcuffs as they were deemed a "risk".
Dave, 60, said: "I just couldn't believe it when they told me to get undressed. I showed them my policeclown identity card, which had my picture next to my credentials as a member of the Criminal Insane Department, "But I don't think that really helped. My plastic scissors and camera got through fine, as did my funny glasses and bubble machine.
"But then they discovered my plastic toy handcuffs.
"I told them I had bought them from the Early Learning Centre especially for the trip but they still said they were a risk. I suppose they have to be really safety-conscious nowadays but I've never had this problem before." Security guards at Birmingham International Airport spent 10 minutes examining his outfit.
They eventually allowed Dave, of Shard End, Birmingham, on to the flight when they discovered his costume featured a metal band which held up his pantaloons - the reason he set off the alarm.
David Dunckly, spokesman for Variety Club Midlands, said: "Thankfully, he was let through but it's security gone mad." A spokesman for Birmingham International Airport said: "PC Konk certainly did a great job of keeping everyone at the airport entertained.
"But he was required to give in his handcuffs at security in line with national security regulations."
