MOSCOW'S renowned State Circus will roll into Lancaster next week, so when you see the vans follow them. That's what I did - and ended up at the peak of the Big Top.

Catching up with them in Lancaster, I apprehensively headed for my first taste of circus life and all the thrills it could offer me.

Once inside, I was greeted by a selection of taut, athletic looking bodies but that didn't bother me as I'd stretched my arm muscles to limber up.

First, I was introduced to the ringmaster who casually told me to look above my head at my first challenge.

The casual look turned into a 50ft glare at the flying trapeze artistes who were confidently gliding through the air throwing each other across the Big Top.

The only thing I was confident about throwing was a pessimistic glance, but not wanting to look daunted I replied "great".

Ringmaster Chris Barltrop has been in the circus business for 24 years and describes his work as "a way of life rather than a job."

Next, I was introduced to Sascha Junior, whose father led the trapeze artistes.

He was to take me up the precarious rope ladder to the flimsy-looking ledge I was to stand on until I floated or was thrown off.

Decidedly scared, I was given instructions from trapeze leader Sascha but as the only thing I could understand was "Stay straight and let go," I decided to listen to the lighting and rigging crew who were watching my pitiful attempts at interpretation.

My great fear was a belly-flop into the safety net, but nevertheless I would give it a go if only because I wasn't sure of how to get down the ladder. I held on to the bar and held and held until I got sick of all the Russian banter which I presumed meant "Get on with it" - and went soaring through the highly-charged atmosphere of the Big Top .

Mr Barltrop said:" Once you've done it you'll want to do it again and again". I wouldn't go that, far but I was charged for the next challenge.

And hat-throwing was it, not quite what I was used to by now but good fun. Then came hula-hooping and being strung to an ariel strap in mid-air.

Now with my feet back on the ground, I can tell you the Moscow State Circus is in the North-West for the first time and the show promises to be fast moving and fun.

The circus comes to town from April 15 -20 at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.