DOZENS of people were left angry and young children distressed when they were turned away from a circus even though they had free tickets.

The complimentary tickets were handed out to businesses in Christchurch and surrounding areas in exchange for advertising the Moscow State Circus which runs from Thursday evening to tomorrow at Stanpit recreation ground.

The ticket carried the words: “Free Grandstand Ticket. Thank you for displaying our poster. Please accept this free ticket worth £22 which will admit one adult free of charge to the Grandstand on Thursday or Friday.”

But some who decided to take up the offer say they were furious when staff at the entrance told them the seating area was full and they could not get in.

Others were informed they could upgrade their ‘free’ ticket for the grandstand for a higher priced seat elsewhere at the circus.

The circus is in Christchurch for the first time in over 20 years.

Neville Mee, 59, lives in Mudeford , and went to the circus with three others but was turned away at the entrance and told he could not get in with his free tickets.

“They said we could get in a queue about 100 deep to upgrade our tickets or come back another night. I had free tickets for Thursday August 16 so why couldn’t I go in?

“They had given people these tickets because they had advertised their business and the least they could do was honour that,” he said.

“There were a lot of very upset children who couldn’t get in and that was not nice to see. It was terrible, just very embarrassing.”

Mr Mee said he complained to staff but they would not budge.

Auxiliary nurse Emma Wright, 18, went to the circus with six friends after being given her free tickets.

“It was ridiculous, absolutely appalling.

“When we arrived we were told our free tickets were not free and instructed to go to the box office and pay for an upgrade.

“There were so many kids crying – all they wanted to do was to go to the circus but the circus were saying no. They were all devastated.”

Peter Norris, from the circus, said they had been surprised by the large number of people who turned up on Thursday night and had to turn people away because they were full. He said the tickets did say “subject to availability”.

“We are sorry it happened and we have taken the unprecedented decision to allow anyone with a free ticket to attend any of the remaining performances,” he said.

He advised anyone with a free ticket to ring 07721 565558 and book or arrive early to avoid disappointment.