CHILDREN were encouraged to clown around at a Billingham school yesterday when they received a special visitor.

Ramon the clown took time off his day job - entertaining families at Uncle Sam's Great American Circus - to tell youngsters about his life as a clown.

Ramon, who is originally from Colombia, visited Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary School, in Riveaux Avenue, as part of the school's careers week.

Headteacher John Lyons said pupils were intrigued by his tales of circus life.

He said: "He told them all about running away to join the circus and they seemed fascinated. They saw him juggle, balance his hat on the end of his nose and gave them a real insight into what it's like being a clown."

Youngsters from the school will today go behind the scenes at the circus, which will be at Billingham's John Whitehead Park until tomorrow.