PROTESTERS made their views heard when the last circus in Britain to use an elephant came to town.

Bobby Robert's Super Circus rolled into town on Sunday night, bringing with it 52-year-old elephant Anne, horses and ponies. The big top was erected in a field off Perryfields Road.

A circus spokesman said: "Anne is semi-retired. She only comes out at the interval and has been with the circus all her life. She was born in captivity and it is all she has ever known.

"She is much loved and is treated very well."

Protester Kevin White said: "Anne has worked very hard all her life and now she should be allowed to live out the rest of her days in an elephant sanctuary."

The circus was set to hold its first performance last night and then at 5pm and 7.30pm, Wednesday to Friday, and at 2.30pm and 5pm on Saturday.

Debra Beddoe, of Perryfields Road, said: "None of us got any sleep on Sunday night when the circus arrived. They were very noisy and were still working at 5am."