In fact, don't be surprised if you see some camels taking a stroll in the sand along West Cliff beach to enjoy the summer sun.

In the days where shows with performing animals are seen as taboo, the circus which is fronted by 32-year-old ringmistress Petra Jackson, is proud of her exotic menagerie of animals which include two zebras Sinbad and Zebedee who were rescued from zoos, donkeys, mules, pigeons, a chihuahua and performing goats.

She classes the animals as their family pets and Circus Mondao is certainly a big family with a team of 22 people including the artistes, children and working men who stay in mobile homes and caravans equipped with the latest technology including washing machines and dishwashers.

The circus is hard work for sisters Cinzia (8) and 11-year-old Madalane Timmis who have followed in the footsteps of their parents Gracie and Jason into the ring – in addition to attending school they do two performances a day including a magic act and a routine with a herd of pygmy goats.

Petra, who ran away from home to join a circus at the age of 16, said: "We all have a multitude of jobs so you don't just see us doing one job.

"One minute I will be selling the programmes and then I will be starting the show.

"I also do an illusion act so you see us all over the place during the show."

Although the animals perform, many of them are still in training and Petra insists they only do what is natural with their tricks done in return for food which they will do anything for.

She says the animals are always the top priority with them being the last to be loaded and the first to be unloaded at each new site with them travelling 50 miles at the most between sites.

"We've always got DEFRA which is the Government animal welfare body looking our shoulders.

"The RSPCA has free entry to the circus any time they like – even though they are only a charity at the end of the day we've got nothing to hide.

"Only three weeks ago we had the North Yorkshire County Council animal welfare, they inspected us and found nothing wrong.

"Mostly we get inspected between two and three times during a month off different organisations so our standards have to be high, we are on public view."

So why carry on when it's a battle to draw in the crowds and in the face of criticism from animal rights campaigners?

"There is a place for circus," Petra insists.

"We are maybe not the best razzle dazzle circus in the world but we believe we bring good, honest family entertainment and that's what people want.

"It's okay to watch Britain's Got Talent and see a performing dog but when it's in a circus people think there's something different about it," said Petra.

"A lot of these protesters are only protesting because they have read a leaflet.

"They have never been to a circus.

"When they are at the gate we say to them come and have a look at our animals.

"They say 'No, No, No, we've been told what you do.