ROLL UP, roll up they most certainly will.

For Blackpool Tower Circus which opened its season last week is a tip-top feast of entertainment, as stunning a show as you are likely to see under any big top.

It's certainly got the lot -- acrobats aplenty, high-wire artistes, trampolinists, jugglers and, of course, comedy from those who just love to clown about.

Could any kid fail to be mesmerised by it all? I doubt it.

And judging by the response of the youngsters who attended the opening performance, it was an afternoon they won't forget in a hurry.

They've got an impressive line-up of circus performers from pretty well every corner of Europe -- Spain, France, Italy, Ukraine, Russia and Bulgaria.

The Tangra Troupe from Milan opened proceedings with some dazzling balancing acts, including throwing the young girl almost to the ceiling.

Then came the Khatchatrian tight-rope walker who thrilled the audience with some nerve-jangling stunts. Mind you, the chap who stood in the ring, presumably to catch if there was a slip, looked mightily up to the job!

There was lots more -- a hand balancing act which was incredibly graceful, the Didyk Troupe whose swing boats made the ones at the fair look pretty tame, a trampoline troupe whose finale was a triple somersault, and the Garcias who used a spinning rocket to perform some exciting trapeze-type routines. But the star for me -- and for every kid in the place -- was Mooky the Clown. After the Cairolis he knows he has a hard act to follow, but this young man works tirelessly and already shows great style as he goes about his art.

And, make no mistake, clowning is an art. Much of it may be knock-about slapstick. But you've got to know what you're doing when you fall all over the place, get custard pies or buckets of water in your face.

And he had some super routines which might have been based on old favourites but on which Mooky put his own particular stamp.

The finale, in which the ring is transformed into a swimming pool complete with carousel figures which rise from the water, may not exactly surprise the mums and dads, but it brought plenty of oohs and aahs from the youngsters.

All wonderful entertainment.

The price? Well, you get into the circus this year with your entrance ticket to the Tower -- £10 for adults and £5 for children (four and under are free).

The hotline number for details of opening days and times is (01253) 292029.

Pictured is the all star cast.