REMEMBER when your parents took you to the circus as a child and you were scared of the clowns?

If so, then you should steer clear of Circus of Horrors. This show is not for the faint-hearted.

Odd, skilful, bizarre, crazy and wince-inducing moments were plentiful when the extravaganza – complete with some local cast members- came to Lighthouse, Poole, on Saturday night.

Wolf boy, who hit the national headlines last week, walked barefoot on five swords during “the walk of death”.

There were feats of sword swallowing – an amazing three in one go – by another performer.

A contortionist had the crowd gasping with some jaw-dropping moves.

Throw in fire-eating, a woman who can carry people on her super-strength hair and fireworks – including a person as a spinning Catherine Wheel –and you have a taste of the evening’s entertainment.

To a driving rock band backing, some macabre and even humorous pieces, there were also some fine gymnastic and balancing skills to reap applause from the appreciative audience.

It may not be to everyone’s liking, but there’s no doubting its entertainment value.