VALE MP Peter Luff is campaigning to free circuses from the potentially devastating impact of the Licensing Act 2003.

MP Luff says the Licensing Act is one of the worst pieces of legislation ever to have become law. Its impact on circuses would be very serious.

The MP is calling for circuses to be exempted from the Licensing Act as small circuses cannot cope with the inflexibility, bureaucracy or the cost.

"Circuses, the majority of them, cannot afford the cost or survive the inflexibility the licensing regime imposes on them. By January this will be even more obvious than it is now it may even be too late for many circuses that need to book acts and secure sites for the new season," said the Mid Worcestershire MP.

The Bill had it first reading on October 25 under the ten-minute rule procedure and will be considered next by the Commons on Friday, December 2.

"Circuses were promised an exemption from this Act. If the government accepts my Bill it will live up to this promise. If nothing is done a much enjoyed part of the national heritage will be lost and children will no longer have this first wonderful introduction to the performing arts." The MP, who was the first to highlight the threat to circuses which now have to apply for a separate licence for each performance at considerable cost, has warned that an important part of traditional British culture would be lost if exemptions were not introduced for traditional travelling circuses.