Olivia Carle sizes up some Halloween candidates at a pumpkin patch picking event at Cononsyth Farm near Arbroath at the weekend. Picture: Paul Smith.

HALLOWEEN: PM is popular costume among families

Children are dressing up as Boris Johnson this Halloween as families take inspiration from Brexit for their plans, according to new research.

The prime minister is the 10th most topical option on a list topped by Pennywise the clown from It 2, with Spider-man in second place.

Research by Beano found Mr Johnson has been named the ghastliest figure of the 21st Century by two-thirds (66%) of British parents and children.

The new study of 2,000 British parents and their children aged six to 14 found more than half (54%) of families are drawing direct inspiration from Brexit for their Halloween plans.

More than a quarter (28%) plan to dress up as famous British politicians, while one in five (20%) will be using Brexit-themed decorations.

Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, said “Kids today are far more clued up as to what’s going on in the world and with Brexit on everyone’s lips, it’s unsurprising that we’ll be seeing a horde of mini Borises taking over the streets of the UK this Halloween, with a Jeremy Corbyn or two.”

The research, carried out in October, found Mr Johnson is considered the second scariest celebrity by UK children, with Donald Trump in first place.

Meanwhile, Perth’s Winter Festival got off to a scarily good start this weekend as a ghoulish procession of spooks and skeletons shuffled its way through the city centre.

Hundreds of families flocked to the Fair City for a night of fancy dress fun, complete with zombie maze, live music and dancing.

Saturday’s event began with a parade led by Perth and District Pipe Band, with prizes for this year’s best costumes.

A stage was set up in Horsecross Plaza for a series of performances by local dance troupes.

Organisers also laid on carnival rides, while youngsters got the chance to try their hands at rock climbing.

The annual event has grown over the years, but this was the first under new organisers Horne’s Pleasure Fairs, History and Horror Tours and Castle Horror events.

The Halloween spectacle kickstarted the city’s annual Winter Festival, a 16-week programme of entertainment, exhibitions and shopping events.

PA. Jack Waterson, 7, Presley Kempson and Jamison Mccarthy, both 10, take to London’s streets styled as three of the PM’S most iconic looks: Zipwire Boris, Biking Boris and Bullingdon Boris.

Picture: Kenny Smith. Maciek Grniak, Tracy Jackson and Wiktoria Walczyk at the Perth city centre Halloween event.

Picture: Kenny Smith. Zombies escaped from the Zombie Maze in Perth city centre.

Picture: Paul Smith. Lily Graham picking pumpkins at a patch near Arbroath.