(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-16 16:43

A new survey shows clowns are "universally disliked" by children, media reported Wednesday.

More than 250 children aged between four and 16 were polled by the University of Sheffield which was examining how to improve the decoration of hospital children's wards.

All of them disliked clowns as part of hospital decor, with even older children finding them scary, according to the study published in the Nursing Standard magazine.

"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them frightening and unknowable," according to Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.

"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," she said.

Children liked colorful spaces and references to contemporary culture, she said, adding that it is important that young people are consulted over the design or change of hospital environments.