ARCHBISHOPS have many roles to carry out on a daily basis.

Blessing animals at a circus may not have been on that list of jobs - until yesterday that is.

Jerome Lloyd, the Archbishop of Selsey, came to Hove Lawns to bless the animals prior to them performing in the city.

A special animal blessing took place under the Big Top where the famous circus’ troupe of horses from the Khadikov Riders and a brigade of 14 brightly coloured budgies with Ringmaster Norman Barrett MBE gathered.

Mr Lloyd said it was his pleasure to perform the ritual.

He said: “My relationship with Zippo’s began in 2009 when I walked the tight rope without any safety harness for the Sussex Beacon.

“I became a sort of unofficial chaplain for them.

“When Reverend Roly Bain died – the renowned priest who also performed as a clown – I took over from him as their official chaplain.

“Every since then I’ve come back to visit the circus – there’s an affinity with the performers,

“I think they have accepted it since I walked the tight rope.”

His other tasks have included baptising the baby of one of the members of the legendary Italian Rastelli clown dynasty while they were on tour.

David Hibling, creative director for Zippo’s Circus, said: “When I was four-years-old I told my mother I would be running off to join the circus and at 17 that is what I did.

“I’ve been working in the circus ever since.

“I’m Brighton born and bred so it’s brilliant to come back here with the show.

“The animals are part of our family.

“Circus people generally are very religious.

“In the circus community the most wonderful thing is that we have people from all sorts of faiths.

“They all work together for the common good.

“It’s a wonderful thing, I often think the world should live like a circus.

“People who risk their lives are very spiritual.

“You’ll often see the performers crossing themselves backstage before a stunt.”

Zippo’s proprietor Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton said: “Our animals are a vital part of our circus family and what better to celebrate them than with their own special blessing?

“It’s so important to gather all of our performers and all of our animals together in one place at one time, a real celebration of love and respect!”

Zippos Circus will be staging performances in Hove until Sunday 3 September.

Mr Lloyd is the founder of CherubsKitchen.com a not-for-profit catering company providing NVQ apprenticeships, raising money for and servicing a drop-in for the homeless in Brighton.