All proceeds from the circus ticket sales will go to the flood appeal

Denis Dent, the mayor of Newquay, will appear in a slapstick routine in a special circus performance in the town on Thursday.

It is hoped the unusual performance will raise several thousand pounds for the flood appeal.

Mr Dent says he does not believe it is undignified for a civic leader to become a clown.

Everyone knows it's all for fun Denis Dent, Newquay Mayor

Last month several north Cornwall villages, including Boscastle, Canworthy Water, Crackington Haven and Bude, were all hit by flash floods, causing millions of pounds of damage.

A North Cornwall Floods Appeal, launched by the British Red Cross, has already raised more than �80,000 for the victims.

Mr Dent says he is more than happy to don greasepaint to help raise the total.

He said: "I don't think it's undignified. Everyone knows it's all for fun and fundraising.

"We're delighted with the circus. They approached me and they're doing the whole thing totally free.

"We just want to sell as many tickets as we can do and raise money for all the flood victims."