The scenario in which a partygoer dressed as a chainsaw-wielding murderer sparked a full police alert has certain comic overtones.

But Kevin Oakes is naive if he thinks the police had a "sense of humour failure".

A helicopter was scrambled and armed officers sent in after residents reported seeing a man carrying a chainsaw and wearing a bloodstained T-shirt in the street.

The police are never going to take chances in such a situation.

Next time Mr Oakes takes part in a fancy dress evening, we suggest he takes his outfit in a bag and puts it on at the venue, instead of wasting police time and our money.