ANIMAL rights protestors staged a peaceful demonstration but failed to deter people from attending a circus in County Durham.
Martin Lacey's Great British Circus ended its run in Darlington yesterday after its annual visit.
Farmer Marcus Nimmo and his wife, Elizabeth, welcome the circus to their land at Creebeck Farm, Neasham Road, every year.
Mrs Nimmo said people were protesting outside the circus, which has camels, horses and a donkey, on the opening and closing nights.
"They were at the gateway trying to hand leaflets out and stop people in," she said.
"But everyone can see how well the animals are looked after.
"Anyway, it isn't as if he would want anything to harm them. They are his investment and they're well looked after."
A spokeswoman for Darlington Police said: "There were a small number of people who turned up just before the performance, but they went away fairly quickly.
"The protestors were allowed to stage their protest very peacefully and the circus respected their right to do that, and went on with their business."
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