THE thrills and spills of the big top have arrived at an out-of-town shopping complex that hopes to become a leisure attraction.

Dalton Park, at Murton, County Durham, which opened last year and attracts 60,000 shoppers a week, is laying on circus entertainment to keep youngsters amused during the summer holidays.

The complex has assembled a team of performers, including unicyclists, jugglers, acrobats, clowns and high-wire walkers to perform 45-minute shows throughout the week until Sunday.

Youngsters can also learn circus skills at free workshops.

The centre's marketing manager, Heather Scott, said the circus, which opened on Saturday, would help keep youngsters entertained while their parents shopped, and that the complex was planning a leisure development to add to its outlet shopping so that it would become an "all-day destination" for families.

Each weekday and next Sunday, performances will take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm, with an extra show at 6pm on Thursday.

On Saturday, there will be a parade of performers through the mall at 11am and shows at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

Workshops are at 12.30pm and 2.30pm weekdays and at 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday.

The circus shows cost £5 for adults, £2 for children under 16, and £12 for families of two adults and up to three children.

Tickets are available from the "at your service" lounge near the complex's entrance.