BLACKPOOL Tower Circus sawdust may be long gone -- replaced by a posh red carpet -- but the stardust lingers on.

The audience cheered the opening night (May 16) of the circus's 108th season to the ornate rafters after they had enjoyed a truly magical mystery tour de force.

Once again there's everything here for grown-ups and the kids.

The Tumbling Cetos from New York get things off to a flying start -- literally -- with a fast-moving routine.

Enduring the culture shock of a move direct from the Moulin Rouge in Paris to Blackpool Prom, the Curatulas Brothers perform a miraculous hand-balancing act, while the Kotovs are Olympic-standard athletes on the horizontal beams.

The Mongolian White Devils are magnificent on the high trapeze; Shestopalcos are a breathtaking springboard act; Cong Tian defies gravity on the slack wire; and the Rampin Brothers prove their legitimacy to be part of a great Spanish circus dynasty with their particular brand of gymnastics.

And, like a thread of fun throughout, Mooky the clown proves why he's one of Britain's best-loved funnymen.