Balloon man Barney deflated by Tesco

Barney - real name Tony Turner, of Briarfield Crescent, Gleadless, Sheffield - travels everywhere with a bagful of balloons which he twists into animal shapes and hands them to children.

But Tesco has told him to keep the balloons in his pocket and entertain children with what’s left of his act.

Tony, aged 47, who was booked for a five-hour stint at Tesco’s Crossgate Centre store in Leeds, had to rely on magic, puppets, juggling and an emu costume to keep the youngsters amused.

Tesco says balloons have been banned because latex is used in their manufacture which could harm children.

Tony’s act has already been hit after he was forced to stop using a bubble-making machine.

He was refused public liability insurance because insurance companies said the bubbles might cause children to slip and hurt themselves.

“At this rate I will have no act left. Things are going from crazy to ridiculous,“ said Tony, a professional children’s entertainer for seven years.

“Twisting balloons into shape makes up 40 per cent of my act and I can't see what the problem is.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “This is a health and safety issue. We have banned balloons because latex is used in the manufacture of them and this can trigger an allergic reaction in some children.”