animal circus protestors are using their most fearsome weapon to get their massage across - Tilly the Tiger.

The cuddly big cat teamed up with two elephants to petition shoppers in Chester-le-Street to persuade the council to ban animal circuses on its land.

The animal magic was provided by the North-East Animal Rights Coalition (NEARC) which took to the streets to highlight Chester-le-Street District Council's policy on animal circuses.

One of the few authorities in the country which has prohibited the use of performing animals on their land, council leaders are expected to agree a ban at a future meeting of the executive.

NEARC spokeswoman Louise Stevenson said: "We call on the council to listen to the strength of public opinion and effect a ban of animal circuses on their land.

"These days most people would consider that a travelling circus is no life for animals. Constantly moved from one site to another, the needs of circus animals cannot be adequately met.

"Elephants in the wild may travel 20 miles a day, but in circuses they spend sixty per cent of their time shackled by chains or kept in small enclosures.

"Once in the ring animals are coerced into performing unnatural and degrading tricks.

"We live in a civilised society and animal circuses are Victorian 'entertainment' which should only exist in the history books."

A spokeswoman for Chester-le-Street District Council said the matter will be reconsidered at a future meeting of the executive