An under-threat circus forced to temporarily close due to the coronavirus pandemic will be returning to Bridport next week.

It had been feared the annual Circus Wonderland extravaganza would have to be cancelled this year due to Covid-19.

But organisers have announced the big top will be back at Asker Meadows from August 11-13 – with reduced audience numbers and additional safety measures in place.

Circus Wonderland has entertained audiences at the site for the past seven years. Its troupe of performers are led by Kriss Freear and Paul Carpenter, who appear as clowns Kakehole and Popol.

Mr Carpenter said: “We launched our new season in February and were only open for four weeks before the start of the lockdown.

“Some of our performers managed to return home to their own countries, but others have been stranded here since March after the borders were closed, and have been trying to survive without any financial income.”

The circus industry had planned to reopen on July 4 along with restaurants, pubs and bingo halls, but their hopes were dashed when live performance remained banned. The Wonderland troupe joined a circus protest in Westminster, delivering a letter to Boris Johnson to remind him that without their peak summer season many circuses would be forced to close permanently.

Their protests were successful, with outdoor performance now given the green light.

Despite this, audience numbers will be halved, the sides of the tent will be lifted to increase ventilation and sanitisation points will be installed.

“We have fought so hard to reopen, but now the safety of our audience and performers is now our main priority,” says Mr Carpenter.

Tickets for the show, which features the award-winning clown duo as well as acrobats, aerialists and flame throwing jugglers, which will take place in Asker Meadows, Sea Road South, cost £7.

For show times and further information visit www.circuswonderland.co.uk or contact the box office on 07531 612240