PLANS to hold a circus in a County Durham town have been rejected after councillors described the use of wild animals for entertainment as barbaric.

Teesdale District Council's community services committee members voted against an application by the Great British Circus to hold a family show on the upper Demesnes, in Barnard Castle.

Although the company had not submitted any dates, councillors decided the site was unsuitable for a circus because of an inadequate water supply and restricted access to the site.

Several councillors branded the circus as inhumane, after officers informed the committee that they believed the company intended using wild animals such as lions, llamas, camels and reindeer.

Councillor John Watson said: "The use of wild animals in circuses is wrong and barbaric. We used to have bear baiting and cock fighting and they were abolished, and we once again hope that society has moved on.

"Many local authorities won't entertain the thought of circuses with wild animals and we should do the same. What's more, if we do support this application then we can expect a lot of anger from demonstrators, and I would frankly support them."

There have been several circuses held on the town's lower Demesnes in recent years, but none using wild animals.

Elaine Minnighan, head of legal services, had tried but been unable to contact the circus, which had sent a brochure with its application. She said the brochure stated that wild animals would be used, such as reindeer, lions, camels and llamas, and that they could be hired out for private functions.

The Great British Circus was unavailable for comment last night