TWO lucky youngsters had a bundle of fun clowning around after they made the most of the chance to join the circus for a day.

Alex Jones and Chelsea Hughes found they were the centre of attention when they joined in separate performances at Zippo's Circus in Basingstoke.

The youngsters got the chance to enter the circus ring after winning competitions in The Gazette and on Classic Gold radio.

First up was Alex, from Old Basing. Before the performance, the 11-year-old, who attends St Mary's Junior School, was whisked off backstage to have his make-up and costume done.

Watched by parents Alan and Karen and a group of friends, Alex turned in a star performance for last Wednesday evening's audience as he amused the crowd by taking part in a spoof film shoot with Zippo's clowns and unsuspecting members of the audience.

On Saturday, it was the turn of seven-year-old Chelsea, from Tadley, to do a spot of clowning around.

Chelsea's mum, Mel, won her daughter the spot in the limelight and, like Alex's family, also received front row tickets for 10 children and four adults as part of the prize package.

Chelsea went through a 45-minute rehearsal with clowns Renaldo and Bippo before being made up and appearing in the ring with them during the afternoon show.

She said: "Being in the circus was a bit scary but was also fun at the same time. I was dressed up as a clown and walked around with the other clowns saying hello to people."