CIRCUS patrons were greeted with hoots of "shame on you" when 40 demonstrators protested over performing animals being used in the big top.

The Sunday afternoon protesters, equipped with banners and placards, came from all over Essex to make their feelings heard about the use of 'wild animals' for entertainment and the welfare of these animals.

Last week the Chronicle reported on how animal rights campaigners were calling on the public to boycott the circus after shocking undercover footage of the Great British Circus's three elephants being punched and hit with weapons emerged last month.

Sacked

But circus directors insist the animals are treated well and the culprit was sacked long before the video was released.

For more from the protestors, and the circus staff, see this week's Essex Chronicle.