A HUGELY successful circus at Whinhill Primary complete with a ‘lion tamer’ has been given Big Top marks — and could now become an annual clown jewel event.

Around 40 youngsters in the school’s P2 and P2/3 classes put together an array of colourful acts for their proud popcorn-munching mums and dads as part of a special project.

Talented ringmaster Joshua Riddle, seven, introduced acrobats, tightrope walkers, dancers, clowns and many others to the delight of a packed house — including a few envious older pupils who longed to be taking part.

Teacher Pamela Bradley — who helped the children with their ideas along with colleagues Jackie Duff and Liz Cathcart — said: “The success and the reaction from parents and other pupils has been fantastic.

“The children came up with all their own acts and ideas, and they just practised and practised away in their wee groups. The end result was quite superb.” Pamela told how the young pupils received a spoof letter asking for their help and explaining that there would be no circus in the Battery Park this year because it was ‘waterlogged’.

They immediately came up with the idea of putting on their own circus for the people of Inverclyde.

Pamela said: “It was all their own ideas and the parents enjoyed popcorn as they watched the show.

“We had acrobats, clowns, two dance groups — one calling themselves the ‘1D Group’ and the other dancing to the songs from Disney’s Frozen.

“We even had a lion tamer with ‘cute lions’ and tightrope walkers too.

“The costumes were great and so colourful.” The success of the event has now whipped up thoughts of holding it every year.

Pamela said: “It could possibly become an annual event. I’ve had P7 girls coming up to me and saying that they wished they could have been in it.

“It was a great show.” See today's Tele for full pictures.