Every good children's party has a clown, but for nine-month-old Angelle Read's christening, an entire circus will be taking part.

The cast and crew of Zippo's Circus will be on hand in full costume to add a bit of showbiz glamour to the occasion.

They will not have far to travel to wet the head of their newest member either as the bouncing toddler is being christened under the big top itself.

Proud parents Nicholas Read, 29, who is a dwarf clown with the circus and Tammerson Shimmin, 24, who is a circus groom, have even chosen Zippo the Clown himself, Martin Burton, as Angelle's godfather.

Nicholas said: "The circus isn't a job, it's a lifestyle, and we wanted to celebrate with everyone from the circus."

Angelle is the couple's first child and although it used to be traditional for children born into circus families to be christened in the Big Top, few are now.

The ceremony, tomorrow, will be performed by Canon Derek Whitehead from the Church of St Andrew and St Mary the Virgin in Fletching.

Zippo's Circus can be seen on Hove Lawns until August 29.