CIRCUS bosses have been told their show is no longer welcome after literally flying in the face of a town's regulations.

The Moscow State Circus has been given the order of the boot by angry officials at Harrogate Borough Council after a row over a helicopter.

Officials in the North Yorkshire spa town say they made it clear that the helicopter must not touch down on the town's famous Stray - the huge green area in the centre of the town.

But they were left seething after complaints that a helicopter that landed at the weekend caused problems for residents - and disrupted a memorial service at a local school.

Head of parks and open spaces Patrick Kilburn said: "I am absolutely staggered that the circus landed a helicopter when they had been told last week, in no uncertain terms, that this would not be allowed.

"The landing of helicopters on the Stray is in contravention of the Stray Act, which protects this land."

He said: "There are very few circumstances when aircraft would be able to land on the Stray and this mainly refers to medical emergencies, when the air ambulance would be allowed to land, or a Royal visit.

"All other landings are directed to the Great Yorkshire Showground."

The council claims circus organisers were also directing traffic to park on the nearby Tewit Well Stray, despite being asked not to.

"We hold a bond from the circus and if there is any damage to the Tewit Well land, we will be retaining some," said Mr Kilburn.

"They will also be formally advised that they will not be allowed to bring the circus to Harrogate again."

A spokesman for the European Entertainment Corporation admitted the helicopter had landed on the Stray but said it was an error as the pilot had thought that was the showground