A small town outside Montpellier in southern France has banned people from dressing up as clowns on the streets this Halloween.

The decision by the mayor of Vendargues, Pierre Dudieuzere, follows a series of attacks across the country by people disguised as fake, scary clowns.

In one incident, a youngster hit a passer-by 30 times with an iron bar.

The phenomenon has also spread on Facebook, with groups tracking clown sightings in the past few weeks.

The ruling was posted on the town's website, saying: "It is forbidden unless authorized previously...for any individual or group of persons aged 13 years or more to (be) disguised as a clown in the streets and public spaces in the urban centre of Vendargues."

The restriction is in place for Friday October 31st and Saturday November 1st.