AUTHOR and street entertainer Michael Mime has had to delay his mission to Iraq - after breaking his toe when he tried to kick a balloon.

The injury meant that Michael, and documentary maker Scott Barden, were unable to set off because Michael was supposed to be doing all the driving in the 6,000km journey.

He said: "It was a freak accident and there was just no way I could drive, it was too painful.

"We were also delayed because my son was so concerned about me going on the trip he buried my passport in the garden. Thankfully he put it in a waterproof bag, so it isn't ruined."

Michael said he wanted to let people and businesses in York know that the trip, to spread "unconditional love" to Iraq's people, was still on.

Hundreds of soft toys, to be given out to Iraqi children, have been donated by York residents.

He said: "We are definitely still going, and the good news is that Scott has now passed his driving test so we will now be able to share the driving between us."

Michael will wear a clown suit for the entire journey, which the duo are making by road.

He said the suit is to tell people in power to "stop clowning around over Iraq."

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, January 21, 2003