MUM of two Judy Johnson had always dreamed of sampling the magical atmosphere of the circus ring - and she did not have to go far to fulfil her ambition.

For 43-year-old Judy from Chandler's Ford is the front of house manager at Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure Centre.

When the big top came to the Passfield Avenue centre, she jumped at the chance of joining the circus.

Fleming Park's marketing manager Nicki Brown asked the directors of The Great Toppers Family Circus if they could help make her colleague's dream come true.

The circus does not involve animals but has clowns, sword balancers, plate spinning, acrobats, jugglers, illusionists, unicyclists and knife-throwers.

Circus chiefs arranged for Judy to balance on top of unicyclist Philip Walker's shoulders.

Judy, who admitted that she did not really have a head for heights, said: "I was nervous at first but once I was up there I was fine."

But Judy who is five feet eight inches was really walking tall as the unicycle criss crossed the circus ring.

Her circus ring debut, which raised about £250 for Wessex Heartbeat, was praised by Philip.

He said: "She was a bit nervous. Then she saw everyone was dressed up and really got into it. She was very good."

Her unicyle performance lasted about a couple of minutes and then she bravely posed for some knife-throwing shots.

After this, Judy will no doubt be keen for another slice of the circus action.