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Clowns Jacko and Little Billy seen after the show with, left to right, Ian, Lorraine and David Poole and Michael, Debra and Andrew Finn.

Jacko the clown's opening gambit, "Are you all right kids?" brought a thunderous "Yes" from all 190 children on the Lambert Howarth and Sons weekend trip to Manchester's Belle Vue Circus. The clowns' simple gags and water play, the bareback riders dare-devil horsemanship, plus a good sprinkling of acts traditional and modern, made the two-hour visit memorable. Commented seven-year-old Debra Kershaw of Padiham Road, Burnley, a pupil at Ightenhill Junior School: "It's better here than when you see it on TV." Her sister, Linda, aged 12 made her summing up: "I liked the lions best. The circus is lovely, but I don't think I'd want to work here when I grow up." The outing was put on by the Lambert Howarth sports committee for all the firms in the group. Mr. Robert Wignall, the organiser and secretary of the committee, said: "We all seem to enjoy the circus more than the pantomime, but with so many children to shepherd I am grateful for the 19 Lambert Howarth employees here to help."

Circus thrills there were in plenty, with a unique act featuring five baby elephants ridden by tiger-skin-clad artists, bears on bicycles and a trapeze artist head-balancing over the audience's heads. Afterward children from two families went for a look backstage and for a chat to two of the clowns. Lorraine, Ian and David Poole of Riding Street and Andrew, Michael and Debra Finn of Garswood Close were the lucky ones. Midget clown "Little Billy" played a season at the old Victoria Theatre in Burnley and cheerful Jacko brought fresh giggles and screams as he shouted "cheese," posing with them for a picture.

Another coachload of Burnley children left from the Gas Board headquarters on Parker Lane, to go to a later performance. They were all children of gas board employees.