Circus auditions for sharp performers

There is an "element of danger" involved in the role

Unemployed people in Suffolk are being offered the chance to run away and join the circus - as a knife-thrower's assistant.

Ten people have put themselves forward for the nerve-racking role advertised in a Suffolk job centre, Cottle and Austen Electric Circus said.

A spokeswoman for the circus said applicants would need "a degree of courage".

Auditions are under way on Tuesday.

'Element of risk'

The job involves standing against a wall while knives are hurled at speeds of up to 60mph.

The previous holder of the post has moved on to other roles within the cirucs.

The spokeswoman said: "We placed an advert in the local Jobcentre.

"Ten people expressed an interest and so far two have turned up for the auditions.

"The attributes that would be required would be confidence and obviously the job requires an element of courage.

"More than that we would be looking for people with as many skills as possible who would be able to make a contribution to the general running of the circus.

"The knife-thrower is very experienced, but obviously with jobs like this occasionally you have an accident and there is an element of danger."