ANIMAL rights protestors handed a 2,000-signature petition calling for a ban on performing circus animals to a North-East council, yesterday.

Members of the North-East Animal Rights Coalition have taken to the streets of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to sign up shoppers to their campaign.

Chester-le-Street District Council is one of the few local authorities in the country yet to ban animal circuses.

The council is expected to review its policy, which caused controversy last summer when it permitted a circus with animals at the Riverside.

Protestors said they hoped councillors would vote for a ban at a meeting on Monday