SAFETY campaigners have called on parents to act responsibly when a gory show returns to the region.

The Circus of Horrors, which wowed audiences at the Stockton Riverside festival in 1998, will be at Darlington Civic Theatre on Saturday, January 26.

The show presents a variety of specialist acts, including sword swallowing, trapeze artists suspended by their hair, tattooed women squeezing themselves into bottles, and a contortionist.

Peter Cutchie, head of theatre and the arts in Darlington, admitted the PG-rated show was not for everyone.

He said: "This is not a show to bring your granny to. It is outrageous and very fast moving.

"It will be shocking with a capital S, but it will be fun. What they can do with some nails and a hammer will turn your stomach."

But safety campaigners have expressed concern and have asked parents to reconsider taking children to the show if they are likely to copy what they see.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "If you have children, you have to act responsibly and decide whether they should see a show like this and if they are likely to be influenced by it.

"Parents should know if their children are the type to copy things and should act appropriately. It has been said the show is not suitable for under-eights and parents of young children should not try to smuggle them in."

It is just one of the shows in the new Darlington Civic season and is part of a plan to get circuses back to the region.

Mr Cutchie said: "This area used to be famous for its circuses. The stage at the Civic Theatre was actually strengthened in the 20th Century - so it could take the weight of the circus elephants."