WOULD-BE jugglers, acrobats and clowns will be gathering in Blackpool shortly for an intensive training course in circus skills.

The course will take place at Bispham High School from Monday to Wednesday next week, July 23-25, and the organisers are looking for enthusiastic 11-16 year olds ready to juggle and leap their way to success.

The three-day session has been set up by the Lancashire Association for Physical Performing Arts (LAPPA), an organisation created by retired circus performers.

Students are asked to be at the school by 9.30am ready to start by 10am and the course will run until 4pm each day.

A cooked lunch and drinks will be provided and students will be taught basic skills including single trapeze, low tight wire walking, diabolo and juggling.

The students should wear shorts, T-shirt/leotards and soft leather-soled dance/training shoes. Trainers will not be allowed.

The course costs £50 and spaces are limited to 40 persons, boys or girls. During the three days the skills of children in the Lancashire area will be assessed prior to setting up a youth circus -- the only traditional circus school in the UK.

It is hoped that in three years there will be enough children sufficiently proficient in circus skills to mount a yearly show at the Tower Circus and to compete in the National Association of Youth Circus competitions in both this country and in Europe.

Allen McPherson, director of LAPPA Ltd, said: "This has never been done before, but it is being run by fully-qualified, retired circus performers who probably have around 120 years of experience between them.

"They have been teaching small groups of youngsters for nearly a year now, and the course will be a taster of things to come. No previous experience is required, as we will only be teaching the basics.

"After the three days we want everybody to go away able to perform these skills, and we think that we can accomplish this. If all goes well, we may have a small show on the last day to demonstrate what has been learned. It will be great fun for all."

If you are interested in this project, would like to take part in the three-day course or are a retired circus entertainer who could teach your skills to young people, ring Allen McPherson, on 01253 352681.