The show could soon be over for generations of circus acts

Julie Kirkbride, shadow secretary for culture, media and sport, wants the government to make circuses exempt from the new Licensing Act.

From April 2005, each circus will have to apply for an entertainment licence every time they move location.

Local authorities could charge from �500 to �2,000 for licences under the act.

Visiting Zippo's Circus in Blackheath, south London, on Saturday, Ms Kirkbride said it would be tragic to lose a 300-year-old tradition.

The bleak predicament, however, did not wipe the smiles from the clowns as 800 fans poured into the big top for an afternoon of old-fashioned entertainment.

It's only when a theatre closes that anybody is bothered - we are trying to do something about the circuses before it gets that far Charlie the Clown

Ringmaster Norman Barrett, 68, and Charlie the Clown, 55, opened the show with some fish tank antics ending in a wet pair of trousers for Charlie.

Both have been with the circus all their lives, as have their fathers before them.

They fear the new licensing laws will endanger the future of the circus and their livelihood.

The first circus was performed in England in 1768

Red-nosed Charlie Cairoli told BBC News Online: "We are not against the licence fee, we just want a fairer price. Some circuses may have to pay �76,000 a year whereas a theatre would only have to pay �2,000 a year for its licence.

"It's only when a theatre closes that anybody is bothered. We are trying to do something about the circuses before it gets that far."

Mr Barrett said: "Over the years we have modernised to some extent but it's an old form of entertainment and it's a traditional nomadic way of life for us."

Around 80 staff will work on any one site at a time from tent erectors to acrobats and from animal trainers to clowns.

The staff, who joined from across Europe, travel the UK together from March to October and are the only travelling circus in Europe to run courses for circus students.

If there's no future for circuses, it's a great piece of heritage that's been lost" Paul Winston, personnel manager at Zippo's Circus

Julie Kirkbride, MP, has been lobbying the government to make circuses exempt from the new Licensing Act as she believes the financial burden would be unreasonable.

Before giving her three-year-old son Angus his first taste of the circus, she told BBC News Online: "Circuses have never needed a licence, so why now?

"They could be getting 35 to 45 different licences throughout the year. This would be hugely expensive."

The government is expected to consider the regulations of the act next month.

Theron Newman and Zarya, four, from Plumstead, love going to the circus

Families lining up beneath dark clouds for the show - costing between �6 and �13 for each child - were disappointed to hear about the even darker cloud hanging over circuses.

For Kathleen Wright, from Greenwich, accompanying her grandchildren, it was the first time she had been since taking her own children.

"If circuses were to go, it would be a real shame. Blackheath has always had a circus and a fair."

Peter Vines, from Sevenoaks, said his three-year-old Lucy loves the horses and can sit captivated for hours by the live entertainment.

Zippo's personnel manager Paul Winston said smaller circuses would be worst hit as they tend to move more frequently.

All would have to contend with the need to give six weeks' notice to local authorities, during which time advertising is banned.

Paul Winston said this would mean that moving in an emergency, for example if the ground became waterlogged, would be impossible and profits would suffer.

He added: "If there's no future for circuses, it's a great piece of heritage that's been lost."