Charlie the Clown has hit back at claims children are scared of big red noses and painted faces after he was dropped from a Bicester family fun day.

The decision by town councillors to cancel Charlie's booking for the Bicester in Bloom event next month hit the national headlines this week - and was even discussed by Chris Evans on Radio Two.

Charlie, aka Charlie Casey, from East Sussex, has performed at events in Bicester for many years including last year's Christmas lights switch-on.

Mr Casey said it was a common misconception children were frightened of clowns.

He said children were just as scared of entertainers in any other costume and added when he dressed as Santa over Christmas, far more children were frightened of him than when he dressed as a clown.

During his 12 years' experience as a clown, which has included performing for many celebrities, Charlie said he had learned to adapt his routine to suit each situation.

He said: "It's about how you approach the child. I have great pride in winning over children who are scared of me. Most children love clowns, but there are some children who are scared of clowns they're in the minority."

Charlie added he had a range of puppets to use when children looked wary of him.

He said: "I pull out one of the puppets, get the puppet between me and the child, and then they stroke the puppet and take to it you wouldn't believe how many children come around."

Other tricks Charlie uses include wearing hats, instead of the traditional bright red wig, and putting his make-up on in front of the children to show them how he becomes a clown.

He said: "It's in my interests no child is ever scared of me or I wouldn't be in a job."

Barbara Wynn, a member of Langford Village Women's Institute, said she could not believe councillors had dropped Charlie from the fun day after picking a circus theme for the carnival on July 2.

Mrs Wynn, who lives in Jay Close, Bicester, said she and three other members had spent weeks planning clown costumes to wear for the WI's float. She said: "It's taken a lot of time and money. I asked lots of children over the weekend and they all said clowns are fun."

Town councillor Carol Steward said there were several reasons why Charlie's booking was cancelled.

She said: "We were not diversifying the acts, we were sticking to the old ones. It's quite common that children don't like clowns."

Mrs Steward added because the carnival was circus-themed, councillors had thought having Charlie at the fun day could have been "clown overkill".