THERE have been several reports on social media of a clown being spotted in the same area of Farnworth during the past week.

Unlike some of the more sinister clown sightings plaguing the borough, the Farnworth clown – or clowns – appear relatively benign.

In one instance, a clown was seen to ride a bike unsteadily passed a group of workmen, who told it to ‘get a job’.

The sightings appear to be centred on the supermarkets surrounding the Brackley Street area of the town centre.

An anonymous message submitted to the Bolton News website on Wednesday, October 19, read: “Today at 9am a clown dressed in a red and white diamond print suit, red curly wig, red nose, bow tie and riding a bicycle was spotted by pedestrians and workmen on York St, Brackley Street, Barnes Close and Westwood Close in Farnworth, behind Asda.

“He cycled around the workmen, who yelled at the clown to ‘get a job’. He had a painted on grin and was wobbling about on his bike.

“It was presumed he was wobbling because he was a bad cyclist, not because it was one of those circus bikes that falls apart for a laugh.

“The clown was witnessed by workmen, passers by going shopping, dog walkers and car drivers.”

The unusual sighting occurred in the same area of Farnworth town centre as several others during the past week.

Writing on the Farnworth Buy and Sell Facebook group on October 12, Sarah Leigh said: “The clown was out at 10am this morning on the car park at the back of Iceland.”

On the same day, Steven Chamberlain wrote: “Just spotted a clown on Fredrick Street in Farnworth thought I would let people know then you can be on your toes when the idiot decides to come out at night.”

Another eyewitness reported spotting a youngster in a clown mask on Manchester Road, Kearsley at around 7pm on Thursday, October 13.

The sightings are less-sinister than some of the others reported across Bolton in recent weeks.

Although the vast majority were youngsters playing pranks and not criminal acts, there have been other more serious incidents of the menacing craze, which originated in the USA.

It is understood as part of the menacing clown phenomenon, officers in Bolton have dealt with up to 60 clown-related incidents.

On Thursday, Oct 13, a Year Seven schoolgirl was left terrified after being approached by a clown with a knife on the way to lessons at her secondary school.

On Sunday, October 9 a 15-year-old girl encountered one a clown.

On October 8, an 18-year-old said they were chased by someone dressed as a clown.