Only a handful of police officers were present at the Big Top circus in Hove last Thursday night to keep an eye on the animal protesters outside.

We were even given a free sideshow of plate-balancing acts from two out-of-town police officers.

But it was a shame those poor horses weren't out in their fields enjoying themselves instead of being made to do tricks just to please the audience inside a hot and noisy tent.

-M Frankel, Hove