Pupils at a Swindon school had a ball clowning around with Tweedy and Alexis from Aladdin, this year's panto at the Wyvern Theatre.

Crowdys Hill School was one of four local schools visited by the clowns who chatted with the children as well as entertaining them with traditional clowning and plenty of new tricks.

The other schools visited by the panto stars were Lydiard Millicent, Ruskin Junior and Lainesmead Primary schools.

The clowns have been working together since 1994 on Zippo's Circus as ringmaster-clown and leading comic clown.

Alexis and Tweedy have produced new and original comic acts and choreographed and directed clown troupes.

They have performed on both TV and radio. Tweedy appears regularly on Nickelodeon Television and Alexis was featured in the movie Surviving Picasso, starring Anthony Hopkins.

Tweedy received Best Aguste awarded from the Global Crop of Clowns International and Alexis received Best Whiteface.

Together they scooped the Best Comedy Act from the Circus Friends Association of Great Britain a clowning Oscar.

The clowns are aiming to bring clowning into the millennium with comedy coming thick and fast. They will star as the Chinese Policemen in Aladdin from December 15 to January 13 at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre. Tickets are from £12.50 and can be booked on Swindon 524481.

The star of Aladdin is Aleetza Wood, from TV's Home and Away.