IT’S not often that you see a bright red big top opposite the leisure centre but it can only mean one thing: The circus is back in town.

Gerry Cottle’s WOW! Circus is bringing 50 acts, including acrobats, magicians, clowns, and a motorbike-highwire act to Swindon on Saturday for five days of shows.

The Adver spoke to the man himself while colourful lights flashed and whirled around the stage as youngsters from the Wow Troupe roller-bladed around and the Tanzanian Tornadoes practised gymnastic feats.

Gerry said: “This is something very different, it’s full of young people that have trained in our circus school and professional acts from around the world.

“This year we have a lot of big Vegas-style illusions and everyone’s got a good view.”

He has been in the business since he ran away from home to join a circus when he was 15 and some of his children and grandchildren perform in the show.

He said: “We’ve been all over the world and it’s been a good life. Next year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first ever circus, which was in London in 1768.”

This year’s show is themed around rock ‘n’ roll and steampunk and Cricklade businessman Brian Austen, from Austen Fabrication, made 1,000 seats for the show. Visit wowcircus.co.uk.