AN award-winning family circus is set to breathe new life into Clacton Pier’s oldest building this weekend.

Circus Fantasia will be appearing in the Jolly Roger from May 27 to June 4 followed by the entire school summer holiday period.

It will be the first time the structure – which was constructed in 1881 - has been in use for more than 30 years.

There was a circus in the Jolly Roger for one season in the 1980s, but it is hoped that this could become an annual attraction if it goes well this season.

Circus Fantasia is non-animal and features a whole range of exciting and spectacular acts for all ages.

It includes a death-defying springboard act from the Hungarian State Circus, chair balancing, clowns and musical dancing water fountains.

The fountains feature more than 2,000 litres of coloured dancing waters and will be at the Pier this summer.

Matthew Wingate, owner of Circus Fantasia which is based in London and performs all over East Anglia, said it has been to Clacton before with a big top but the pier is a totally new experience for it.

“We are really looking forward to it and we have always been really well-received in Clacton,” said Mr Wingate.

“We have been setting up for the past two weeks and it is going to be as exciting for us as it will be our audience.

“It will be great to be in the Jolly Roger and bring back memories for locals of when the building was an active entertainment venue in the past.”

There will be three shows a day at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm with seating for about 300 people. Tickets are priced at £6.50 for the one-hour show and are available from the pier.

Pier director Billy Ball said it is a dream come true to have the Jolly Roger back to its former glory and the circus will provide an added attraction for families.

“There has been a great deal of interest ever since we announced our plans for the building and I am sure the show will go down well with Clactonians and visitors,” said Mr Ball.

“We went and saw Circus Fantasia in Ipswich and they are extremely good quality professional performers who we are proud to welcome to the pier family.”

When the Jolly Roger was introduced ten years after the structure was built in 1871 it turned it into a true leisure pier, rather than just a working platform for ships.

Mr Ball added that he is also looking to bring the circus back to the Pier for the October half term.