IT'S undeniably difficult to impress a child of the 21st century. Computer wizardry and sophisticated special effects have rendered every child in the land more than a little blas.

But judging by the open mouths and sparkling eyes there were plenty, young and old, who discovered enchantment and magic last Saturday night in Hay.

Giffords Circus had arrived and it was as if a small corner of the world had been transported into the pages of a storybook.

Horses thundered around the ring seemingly oblivious to the acrobatics being performed on their backs, a pair of impossibly flexible springboard acrobats drew gasps from the crowd and high above, elegant aerialist Isabelle Woywode defied gravity, while in between Tweedy the clown fought off romance and desperately sought the cockerel.

For many,the highspot was Trio Slipchenko who we'd all thought were clowns until their inventive and increasingly daring Russian Bar act dramatically proved otherwise.

A fabulous finale featuring the finest flock of dancing cockerels brought the audience to its feet. PM