TINY comedien Thomas Hurdsfield had everyone in stitches.

He is only eight yet he has just won the official Chuckle Award for the best newcomer junior clown in Britain!

He is the third youngest clown in the country.

Making people laugh runs in the family as his mum, Susan, is a professional clown.

Thomas impressed the world's top funnymen at a Clowns International convention in Bolton last week.

"They say he's got bags of potential," said his proud mum, Susan, of Stonebarn Lane, Palacefields, Runcorn.

"As soon as they saw him, they loved him. They really enjoyed working with him.

"He went down a storm."

Thomas writes his own scripts and works out a unique slapstick routine.

"His idol is Norman Wisdom," said his mum. "He knows every film he has made and has had many letters from him. He copies him. He is a miniature Wisdom."

Thomas, a pupil at Hillview Primary School, hopes to follow in the footsteps of his famous friend.

As Pickle' the clown, he has already entertained shoppers, with his mum, Pop Up Polly', at Morrisons and Asda, and started a charity walk in Walton Gardens.

His colourful costumes are specially designed.

Thomas has appeared in panto and recorded Kids Say The Funniest Things with celebrity Michael Barrymore.

"He has always been a bit of a character," said his mum. "He loves singing and dancing and has lots of confidence in front of people.

"He lives and breathes entertainment. All the clowns who have met him say he could become big and famous.

"We don't push him as parents, it's just something that comes natural to him. Everyone loves a clown."