Robo artiste joins the circus

Robotic juggler Jay Jay is star of the show

Britain's first robotic circus performer has rolled into Lincolnshire.

Jay Jay, a seven-foot robot, is performing in Gilbert and Paulo's Circus in Lincoln.

The circus has no animals, but instead relies upon humans and the sophisticated robot that took three years to develop.

Circus spokesman Philip Walker, the principal clown, says it is the first time a robot has performed in a circus.

Magical things

The circus traditionally is a beautiful thing, but we've got to make it modern

Philip Walker, clown

"It is fabulous. It is the future of the circus. It is the first time ever that this has been done," he told BBC News Online.

"The circus traditionally is a beautiful thing, but we've got to make it modern. Bring in magical things which you don't expect to see in a circus."

He said the circus also features all the traditional circus skills including trapeze artistes, trampolinists, balancing acts and acrobats, as well as clowns.

Matthew Day, a trapeze artiste, told BBC News Online: "The robot is quite amazing. It is very eerie and very realistic and fantastic."

Children from Queen's Park School in South Park, Lincoln, had a sneak preview of the show earlier this month.