Clowns have last laugh over licence

A circus which was told its clowns must drop their trumpet playing act in Birmingham has been told it will not need a licence to bring its full show – complete with brass instruments – to Cannock next month.

Zippos Circus was told by Birmingham City Council the show could not go on unless the clowns axed the musical part of their act when performing in Cal-thorpe Park, Edgbaston, this week.

As a result Zippos bosses approached South Staffordshire Council to see if it would again fall foul of the Licensing Act 2003 when appearing at Longford Park from October 9 to 14.

Council spokesman Jamie Angus said: "The circus has been told that on the basis of the information provided they do need to be licensed and that they could apply for a temporary event notice which will cost just £21."

Zippos' Seb Thompson said: "It will be business as usual in Cannock and for our following shows.

"It is good news after the problem we had in Birmingham but that was a one-off. We'd never been prevented from playing live music before and don't anticipate we will again."

The shows, at Longford Park, Wellington Drive, will take place on the Thursday, Friday and Monday at 5pm and 7.30pm; Saturday at 3pm and 6pm; Sunday 11am and 3pm; and Tuesday 6pm.