A PREACHER turned peacemaker as conflict raged between two factions at a family circus in Poynton.

Father Peter Sharrocks, priest at St Peter’s RC Church in neighbouring Hazel Grove, blessed the new Big Top as part of a 200-year tradition and brought a little harmony to troubled waters.

Previously, performers from Circus Mondao and animal rights protesters had clashed on the temporary site on Barlowfold Farm on London Road North in Poynton.

Circus ringmistress Petra Jackson said: "Peter came to bless our new big top for prosperity, health and good business. This is a 200-year-old circus tradition and he said some prayers that he had written specifically for the circus."

And later Father Peter would not be drawn on his feelings over his personal sentiments. He said: "I had not blessed a circus before, it was a bit different!

"I knew that it was an animal circus and the animals seemed happy but I have no comment on the protesters."

But John Barker, of Stockport Animal Defenders, had plenty to say. "We were verbally abused and intimidated during our peaceful protest. We called the police for protection."

Landowner Dorothy Mills said: "It was me that called the police. A police officer came to see the circus and I asked him if he would send somebody to get rid of the protesters as they were obstructing the exit."

John added: "We were in Poynton as part of a national campaign to highlight the suffering of circus animals. We believe that it is never right to use animals for entertainment: the training can be really brutal and the animals get terrified when they are transported from place to place."

Petra said that the Lincolnshire-based family circus has nothing to hide when it comes to their animals, which include a camel, two llamas, a mule, a donkey and two zebras, and that business in Poynton was always booming.

She added: "It’s easy to fall in love with the animals, we have had our mule for 27 years and rescued him from being made into salami in Italy. All of the animals have a story to tell. Animal rights people protest as a matter of routine. ‘Circus’ is a dirty word for them and we have all been tarred with the same brush. We have seven government-registered animal trainers here and I am on an animal care course as we want to keep it all above board."

The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) said that Circus Mondao is one of just eight circuses still using animals.

A CAPS spokesman said: "It’s time to end the outdated practice of forcing animals to perform for our amusement. In the 21st century there is no excuse for continuing to allow the treatment of animals in this way."