A TRAVELLING circus has caused a stir after it pitched up in a village without warning.

Residents were shocked when Circus Mondao's big top - complete with zebras and llamas - arrived on fields off Salterforth Road, Kelbrook, on Sunday, ready for its performances to begin today.

Graham Jagger, whose house backs onto the field, said he opened his curtains on Monday to find a zebra grazing outside.

He said that he had found out by chance last week that the circus would be pitching there for a week of shows but others living nearby had no warning.

Residents in the village have previously complained about the field, which is part of Great Hague Farm, being used as a car boot sale venue, and claimed the circus would make their lives a misery.

Mr Jagger, 56, of Colne Road, said: "I couldn't believe it when I looked out - there was a zebra grazing just outside my fence and I couldn't see anything past this huge tent. It goes right up to my garden wall and it's absolutely horrendous.

"It's an incredible imposition. There will be two performances with a 500 capacity every day, up to 1,000 people.

"There's a lot of noise and disturbance already and the actual performances haven't even started yet.

"I dread to think what it's going to be like then, and there are elderly people living next to the site as well.

"I haven't got anything against the circus as such. I can't really blame them for this. The responsibility has got to lie with the landowner.

"First we have had the car boot sales every weekend and now we have got this.

"We can only speculate now on what we are going to be subjected to next.

"It's completely the wrong place for big events like that and it's left us so that we can't go out and enjoy out gardens in the nice weather.

"They have made no effort to consider the impact of this on the people living here."

The circus, along with landowner Henry Wilson, has been granted a temporary events licence for the site.

Only the police have the power to veto or renegotiate the terms of such a licence.

Mr Wilson declined to comment on the row.

But Petra Wilson, of Circus Mondao said: "We have had some comments from Mr Jagger.

"But we are trying our best to work with the people of Kelbrook."