SEQUINS and feathers have been replaced by combat trousers and skateboards in a modern circus on its first tour of the North-East.

The Circus of the Streets arrived in Durham yesterday, bringing with it feats on inline skates and skateboards and daring BMX stunts.

There is also trampoline tumbling, hula-hoops and juggling, in a bid to attract more teenagers into audiences.

The circus's Chris Barltrop said: "It's circus with a touch of skateboarding.

"Over the past few years traditional circuses had animals, but we couldn't use animals now even if we wanted to, so something had to take its place."

It is not just the circus animals that have disappeared. The traditional red curtains have been replaced by a corrugated iron background with spray-painted graffiti, and the usual big top music has been replaced with Robbie Williams and Coldplay.

Some of those involved, from as far afield as Russia, South Africa and Mongolia, were already circus performers. Others attended a circus school in Hungary where they incorporated street sports into their training.

There will be performances at Durham Sands at 4.45pm and 7.30pm until Friday, with shows at 3pm and 6pm on Saturday and 3pm Sunday. It will then move to Newcastle's Telewest Arena car park.

For tickets visit the box office on site or call the credit card hotline, 0870 4441505.