Circus slammed

A Russian travelling circus which promised mythical beasts has been the subject of complaints in Russia after it failed to live up to it claims.

Alongside performing crocodiles and monkeys, people were told they would see "orcs and turantons" but the reality fell short with performers on bicycles and poodles the highlights of the show.

Igor Kalmuk, director of the venue in the Belarusian city of Vitebsk said: "When the show started, they had a few poodles and one crocodile, and the performers kept falling off their bicycles."

He added some acts appeared to be drunk.

Thousands of tickets were sold and police are now investigating, although the circus has since left town.