Circus seeks sharp performer

Some of the Cottle & Austen performers

A circus is looking for a Scot with nerves of steel to take up the vacant post of knife-thrower's assistant.

Managers at the Cottle & Austen circus, which arrives in Aberdeen on Friday, have been advertising the post in the city's job centres.

They have been struggling to find a suitable recruit since the previous assistant left last year and are hoping to find a Scot who can smile and look danger straight in the eye.

A spokesman for the circus said that the position had become vacant after the previous assistant decided on a change of career, forcing the daughter of one of the circus owners to act as a temporary stand-in.

'Rigorous training'

Applicants will be put through a rigorous audition, involving standing against a wall while knives are flung towards them at 60mph, to see if their nerves can stand the test.

The spokesman said: "We wouldn't recommend it to anyone of a nervous disposition.

"It's a traditional circus act and whoever gets the job will go through a rigorous training programme.

"We're looking for someone with a big smile who's prepared to give it out to the crowds, someone who's a consummate professional."

"The circus hasn't been up to Scotland for a while, so we thought it was a great opportunity to fill the vacancy.

"The last girl left last year while we were performing in Wales and we tried to fill the position then, but we couldn't find anybody good enough."