A LITTLE magic means Europe's youngest clown will be taking to the international stage this summer.

Gareth Ellis - better known as Bippo the Clown - has spent the last twelve months raising money for his trip to the Pushkin Town Festival in Russia.

On Saturday, April 26, the youngest registered member of Clowns International, who lives in Eliza Street, Ramsbottom, received a cheque for £100 from Ramsbottom Rotary Club.

And now, thanks to the local community, he will be spending ten days in St Petersburg with Clowns International and the Radstavarie Pantomime Company.

However, before his departure on June 16, Gareth has a fully-booked diary. Closer to home, Gareth is featuring in the Bury Streets Ahead Festival on May Bank Holiday.

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