ANIMAL rights campaigners from Worcestershire are due to protest outside a circus tonight, over its use of performing animals.

The Captive Animals' Protection Society has also called on the public to boycott The Bobby Roberts circus while it is in Evesham this week.

The circus is the only one believed to be touring England with animals.

Wychavon District Council has allowed the circus on to its land on the understanding that an elephant is not used in publicity shots or in the show itself.

But this is not enough for animal rights campaigners, who were set to be outside the circus, in Corporation Meadow, from 6.45pm onwards.

"Elephants are very social and intelligent animals who can suffer from a range of physical and mental problems in captivity," said Craig Redmond, spokesperson for CAPS.

"The world's leading elephant experts condemn the use of the animal in circuses. CAPS receive more complaints about this circus than any other.

"By their very nature circuses cannot provide all of the space and necessary requirements to guarantee the well-being of animals. We ask the public to boycott animal circuses and for shopkeepers not to display posters for circuses with animal acts.

"We are not opposed to all circuses, just those with animal acts. The human performers can choose to be there, the animals have no choice."

Moira Roberts, administrator for the circus, said the elephant was now retired and was nothing more than a pet.

"We are very proud of our animals and we treat them exceptionally well," she said.

"There is a professional veterinary surgeon available at all times and our doors are always open to the RSPCA for inspection, and always have been.

"We do a two-hour show and our horses and ponies are only used for about eight minutes of that.

"The British public are renowned for their love of animals. Do you think we could have been successfully entertaining families for more than 50 years if we were mistreating the animals we have?

"When the public starts to complain, maybe then we will take notice. Until then, we are not too bothered about the odd animal rights protester."