Starr line-up delights circus crowds in Telford

Circus Starr's Raise the Roof show was held at Oakengates Theatre in Telford with clowns, magicians and jugglers taking to the stage twice.

It was part of a 38-show, 19-day countrywide tour which is made even more impressive by the fact that it is done entirely for the benefit of disabled and disadvantaged children and local charities.

Circus Starr is a not-for-profit organisation which runs three tours each year, providing thousands of free seats in a donated ticket programme which asks local businesses to give back to the community by funding tickets. This year's local donors included the Severn Centre, Highley, the Telford branch of Nu: Move estate agents and The Red Lion Inn, Great Chatwell, near Newport.

Nick Forder, from The Red Lion, said: "It's just a really good cause. The benefits are local to Shropshire so donating helps the area."

The circus also chooses a charity of the year in each show's region and all of the profit generated by the show goes to that charity.

This year's beneficiary in Telford is Barnardo's.

Ringmaster Robert Price said: "We do everything we can to accommodate our audience's needs by providing reserved wheelchair spaces, front row seats for the blind and visually impaired and creating a relaxed environment where every child will feel welcome and included.

"Our show is one of the few in town that is totally accessible, autism-friendly and generally very chilled.

"We always get such a warm welcome from the Telford audiences."

The company has also produced an app to help people prepare for the show.

Cath Logan, community engagement manager for Circus Starr, said: "It gives children with autism a sense of what to expect before coming to the circus.

"The hope is that once a child has had a positive experience here they'll go on to explore other areas of the arts."