'Circus capital' plan for Great Yarmouth

Seachange Arts has run the Out There Festival in Great Yarmouth since 2008

A Norfolk seaside town will be turned into a "circus capital", a performing arts firm has claimed, after it secured money to put on more shows.

Seachange Arts has been given £180,000 from Arts Council England to develop Great Yarmouth as an "international centre for circus and street arts".

The company, which runs the town's Out There Festival, said it would boost its holiday activities and develop artists.

Joe Mackintosh, from the company, said it was "important" for the town.

"There's a rich heritage of circus and performance here in Great Yarmouth," said Mr Mackintosh.

"With the help of this grant, we'll be looking to embed the creation and performance of circus further with local people and artists, attract international companies to visit and make Great Yarmouth a national focus for circus and street arts."

The company said it hoped to put on shows at the refurbished St George's Theatre when it opens this summer and increase the number of performances at the town's Hippodrome circus.