It is hoped the scheme will help regenerate St Pauls

Circus group Circomedia has signed a lease with The Churches Conservation Trust to rent St Paul's Church in Bristol's Portland Square.

The trust spent �3.5m restoring the church and Circomedia will install a flying trapeze rig, a sprung dance floor and tumble runs.

It is hoped the circus training centre will help regenerate the St Pauls area of the city.

[This project] is a shining example of how innovative new schemes can bring new life and use to Britain's most beautiful buildings Frank Field MP

The Grade I listed late Gothic church was opened in 1794, but closed in the 1990s and became derelict and frequented by drug users and prostitutes.

The trust said the project illustrates a new direction for the church conservation body to save the best of this country's church architecture.

Trust chairman Frank Field MP said: "Churches are central to the psyche of this country - its history and its landscape. Yet they are also vulnerable, with more falling into disuse and disrepair.

"[This project] is a shining example of how innovative new schemes can bring new life and use to Britain's most beautiful buildings."

Adaptation work to fully convert St Paul's for circus work will take three to four months. It is hoped that the centre will be fully operational by spring 2005.