MP Caroline Lucas joins calls to ban Zippos circus from Brighton and Hove

A petition against the circus, which pitches up at Hove Lawns each summer, has more than 5,000 signatures.

Set up by Piotr Glodowski, the petition calls on the council to 'stop Zippos Circus from returning to Brighton and Hove to exploit animals for entertainment'.

Zippos said its circus has an act with horses and one with budgies, and that its animals are cared for.

Ms Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "The RSPCA is clear that travelling circus life inflicts unnecessary suffering on animals - so it's no surprise the overwhelming majority of people oppose their use in circuses. The fact that Zippos don't feature animals in their advertising reflects that.

"The council must urgently commit to refusing licences to circuses which continue to use performing animals to assure people they can enjoy performances without animals being exploited."

The petition will be presented to Brighton and Hove City Council's tourism, development and culture committee tomorrow (January 17).

A report to that committee in 2017 on a similar petition said the council has an animal welfare charter which includes a policy relating to performing animals and circuses which provides that where it is lawful to do so, the council will not allow land it owns to be used by circuses and other like enterprises of entertainment where caged and/or performing animals are used.

However, it said the Charter exempts certain activities from the policy, and that one such exemption allows performances of equestrian acts using only horses and ponies. It also exempts the showing of birds, rabbits or other domestic animals.

The report added that 'to date, every inspection has found satisfactory standards of animal welfare'.

Zippos Circus has been contacted for a comment.

To view the petition click here.

For Zippos' statement on its animal welfare, click here.