Clowning around in memory of founder

Clowns from across Europe swapped their hooters for hymnbooks as they gathered for a special service to honour the founding father of their profession.

Wigs, face-paint and costumes – known in the business as “motley and slap” - replaced traditional Sunday best as about 70 clowns, including some from as far away as Norway and Belgium, met at All Saints Church, Haggerston, east London, to commemorate Joseph Grimaldi, thought to be the first clown.

The event was organised by the pranksters’ club Clowns International and was conducted by the official “clowns’ chaplain” the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the vicar of All Saints, and practising clown Rev Roly Bain.