PUPILS from Darlington's Beaumont Hill Special School were treated to a personal performance by Bobby Roberts' Circus.

On a visit two years ago, the circus performed a free-of-charge performance for the Beaumont Hill pupils and their families and this time 100 tickets were allocated.

Jan Mazurk, who helped organise the event, said: "It's the last performance and it's very generous for them to do it."

The circus' leader, Bobby Roberts, is an avid charity worker and has been awarded for his efforts and promoted into the celebrity charity movement the Water Rats.

Caroline Barker, of Beaumont Hill Special School, said: "It's really good across the board, not only for our younger pupils who enjoy the music and lights, but also the older pupils studying the circus as part of their theme for living topic this term."

The circus arrived in Darlington last Thursday and has been performing at Cree Beck Farm, in Neasham Road.

Marcus Nimmo, owner of the land on which the circus is performing said: "Over the years the circus has always given the fees for the use of the land to local charities and this has always been appreciated by local people.

"The night is full of laughter with good clean family entertainment and my family are happy to offer them our hospitality."