The circus will be coming to Canterbury in October after all.

As revealed on kentishgazette.co.uk, there were fears a family tradition would be lost due to a lack of venue for the Big Top.

Now the Moscow State Circus will roll in between October 15 and 19, with Kingsmead playing fields hosting the troup for one final time.

The land is being sold by the city council to Kent County Council to build a new primary school, but the deal will not go through until the end of October, making the site available subject to an entertainments licence being granted.

However, city council bosses are urging the circus organisers to find a new long-term venue.

“We are pleased to offer the circus the land at Kingsmead, but we must make it absolutely clear that this is the last year they will be able to use this site,” said council leader John Gilbey.

“If they want to visit the city again in future years, it is vital they start looking for other potential locations as soon as possible.”

A licence application from the organisers has been received this week by the city council and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.