INDEPENDENT shops all over Colchester are backing the bid to save the circus by displaying the Gazette’s poster.

Campaigners stuck up the sign – printed in yesterday’s paper – in the window of greengrocer John Whitnell’s store in Crouch Street.

His is one of dozens of small firms helping the cause.

Destination Colchester chairman Wendy Bailey said: “John is typical of the independent shopkeepers who are supporting us.

“We have got lots of really good ground support.”