BRIGHTON Jobcentre has advertised a post for “Circus contortionist” on behalf of a circus troupe which is appearing at the Brighton Festival this year.

But, despite the skills involved, where the artist has to squeeze into a slender jar, the Jobcentre has been swamped with enquiries and the number of applicants could easily exceed 500.

Now, for the many unlucky applicants who do miss out, worry not, as the Government has set up its very own contortionist programme in the summer.

It’s actually called The Work Programme – where an extra one million unemployed will be crammed into tiny rooms making paper airplanes and constructing skyscrapers by pasting together liquorice allsorts and fluffy marshmallows.

Stephen Dixon, Redcar.