EAST Lancashire schools are being offered a unique chance to clown around - in exchange for a loan of their land.

And Mike Auspin, who owns and runs Circus Jinnett, could launch the performing careers of talented local youngsters.

Mike has agreed to hand over his Big Top, equipment and the expertise of some of his top artists to a Preston-based circus school which is inviting schools throughout East Lancashire to get involved.

Mike will take a back-seat to the circus school but will stage a performance every night featuring the most promising local talent.

Mike, who is currently in the middle of a summer season at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel, said: "We are always interested in discovering new talent.

"If the children are good I would be delighted to have them perform. Before circus schools came along children would join up all the time and some would become great performers."

June Barberel, of the Preston Community Circus School, is planning to bring the circus to East Lancashire and is asking for local schools to join up to the scheme.

All the schools need to do is provide the grounds and the kids - the circus will do the rest. She said all health and safety conditions would be met and liability insurance covered. June said the idea was to give the children something fun to do - and keep Mike's circus in Lancashire.

She had booked him to perform a series of shows in October as part of National Youth Week, providing he was in the area.

June said: "It's a ploy really, but a very good ploy. The circus ends it run in Blackpool in September and we want to keep him here.

"If he goes somewhere else in the country it would be difficult to get him back."

Because of his commitments Mike's circus will not be available until after the summer holidays - perfect timing for when the children return to school.

Workshops teaching children everything from juggling to face-painting will be on offer for the youngsters with expert tuition from circus acts plus June herself and husband John.

She said: "We are both good at things like juggling, unicycling and diablo. Plus acts from the circus will be there. This gives children great scope if they want to go into entertainment."

Anybody interested in getting involved should ring June on 01772 461638.

Assistant Director for Education and Lifelong Learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Peter Morgan, said: "I am sure that there would need to be discussion regarding licensing and other issues such as traffic if a school was to host a circus."