CHITTY CHITTY BAN BAN; Killjoys axe car from parade..for no MoT.

Byline: AIDAN McGURRAN

ON the big screen, it gloriously took to the skies to save kids from the clutches of the evil Childcatcher.

But Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has now met its match after killjoys banned the movie motor from a parade - for not having an MoT.

The classic car from the 1968 film was to have starred in the Lord Mayor of Norwich's procession this weekend. That was until local police did what movie villains failed to do - and stopped it in its tracks Spokesman Harry Mitchell droned: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang does not have a valid MoT certificate and therefore breaches regulations.

"We can't make exceptions - even for a fun family occasion." Police will only allow it in the parade if it is towed by a trailer.

But council organisers point out that will ruin the car's mystique and have given up trying to get the spoilsports to change their minds. Council official Helen Selleck said sadly: "We worked hard to try to make this happen. We're really disappointed."

John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, which features the motor in a show next month, added: "It would have been easier if Chitty really did fly, as a pilot's licence takes around only 45 hours to obtain."

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ROAD BAN Classic motor in 1968 movie