Ronald McDonald clown terrifies people in Lancashire

A horrifying 'Ronald McDonald' clown has been spotted lurking outside a fast-food restaurant in Lancashire as the killer clown craze sweeps the UK.

The bizarre looking character, dressed as the McDonald's mascot , was seen peering into the windows to terrify customers as they ate their food.

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Wearing a yellow and red costume with a curly red wig, the clown also had a white face, big red lips and eerie black eyes.

The video has been uploaded to the Burnley Clown Sightings Facebook page, but a caption claims the scary figure was actually spotted in Ewood, in Blackburn, Lancashire.

It has now been viewed more than 26,000 times.

Viewers were divided over the Ronald McDonald clown, with some taking a light-hearted approach on social media, writing: "Yes!!! They've arrived in Blackburn."

But another concerned citizen said: "Should not be allowed, they frighten children. And it only takes one to go too far."McDonald's is now reportedly set to scale back appearances of the 'real' Ronald McDonald amid the scary clown craze sweeping the UK and US."

McDonald's and franchisees in the local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald's participation in community events for the time being," the company told CNBC.

Police across Britain are investigating sightings of people dressed as clowns - with some just lurking in the shadows as a menacing prank or others terrorising random people, including schoolchildren, with weapons.

The creepy trend has been fuelled by social media, but Dr Adam Lynes, a criminology lecturer at Birmingham City University, said an ordinary person could put on a clown mask and behave in a way they would not dream of if their faces were not disguised.

Thames Valley Police said they responded to 14 calls in a 24-hour period.

A mum told of her horror when two clowns armed with a machete clambered over her car, leaving her young daughters terrified.

Alice Slattery was with Lily, four, and Honey, three, when the clowns – wearing black-and-white masks and boiler suits – struck at traffic lights in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

In the US, a person dressed as a clown was caught on CCTV trying to enter a family's home.