How very brave of Omani to introduce himself as a Tory supporter at the Brighton Labour Club before inviting two members of the audience to attempt to strangle him (Opinion, July 21).

I remember a day in the early Sixties when I was booked by a magazine to go along in top hat and tails to Earls Court where Bertram Mills' circus was appearing.

A very large elephant was led into the ring by its trainer, who instructed it to lay down.

Climbing up on to one of the elephant's enormous legs, I was told to hold on to its ear for support while pulling myself up on to its bare back.

The worst was still to come, however, as the elephant began to rise and manoeuvre itself into a standing position.

Pictures were taken and the elephant and I were returned to the floor. Safely back on my own two feet, I felt very brave at that moment.

My next assignment, a fashion shoot at the Daily Sketch in Fleet Street, seemed so easy after my encounter with the elephant.

-Michael Parker, Lewes Road, Brighton