A PRESTON teenager has realised his childhood dream of running away to join the circus.

Paul Berbarel, pictured, from Eldon Street, is currently touring Ireland with the American Three Ring Circus, after impressing circus owner Kevin John.

He is touring the Emerald Isle until November 9 and is currently in Tipperary.

He said: "I'm really enjoying it. I'm getting on well with the Mexican people in the circus and everyone else is great, nothing is too much bother for people in Ireland.

"I am thinking of buying a bike though, because we're normally a few miles outside a town and have to walk in if we want a take-away!"

Paul won a grant to go to circus school to improve his juggling skills and is still improving.

Since joining the American Three Ring Circus, he has learned to juggle seven clubs, rather than the five he could manage before he left. And, his mum revealed, he is lightning-quick with just three.

Proud mum Jane said: "With just three clubs, he can juggle so fast that you can't see them.

"He had three offers this year, two in England and one from Ireland.

"It's the first big circus he's been to and we've had one call from him since he arrived in January, to tell us that he's fine. He's having a ball out there.

"And they usually do more than one season because they have such a good time."

Circus owner Kevin said: "Paul is doing extremely well for us.

"At the moment, he's taking part in juggling and fire-eating acts.

"We took him on at Christmas when he sent us a video of his skills.

"I could see that he was quite good and a promising talent so we decided to give him a contract for the season."

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