A circus is seeking a new home for a performance to more than 1,000 disabled and underprivileged children after travellers moved onto a site where it is due to perform next week.

Santus Circus also faces losing more than £12,000 in staff costs and lost revenue.

The circus, run by ringmaster Ernest Santus and his French family, is desperately looking for a new location for its show after finding the group had set up camp on their usual pitch opposite Tesco in Manston Road in Ramsgate.

The circus, which employs about 40 performers from countries like Romania and Brazil, has been a fixture in Kent for more than 20 years and is performing in Hythe.

It is due to appear in Ramsgate from Wednesday to Sunday next week but faces a week on the side of the road unless a new site is found. It travels to Folkestone and Dover later in the year.

The situation could also force the circus to cancel a charity performance for 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children organised through Ramsgate Rotary Club.

Mr Santus discovered the issue when he arrived at the field today to carry out preparatory work, which he is now unable to do.

Spokesman Chris Barltrop said: “We are very tight for time. They want to find another site because they can’t stay in Hythe but cannot stay on the side of the road for a week.

"They had made arrangements with Ramsgate Rotary Club to perform to more than 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children on Wednesday, June 22.

"This was a specific charity performance for the community and now they are faced with a lot of difficulties.

"Mr Santus went down to speak with the travellers but they were very aggressive and he felt threatened and now feels like he has no viable option to set up camp there.

"There will be nowhere for them to live next week as they are in the same position as the travellers.

"They have got a responsibility to everyone who works with them but they are faced with getting no income and the damage to their reputation of not performing.

"They will still have to pay their performers with money they do not have. Ideally they want to find another pitch.

"We are just looking for a kind-hearted farmer who can offer us his land."