Circus operators are in line for a big bill after leaving parts of a Forfar park like a ploughed field.
The visit of the Big Kid Circus to Forfar’s Myre was spoiled by heavy rain, which hit visitor numbers and drenched hopes of a special start to the school holidays for local families.
Conditions also left the circus team facing a major struggle to take down the big top before continuing on a Scottish tour to Warout stadium in Glenrothes.
Heavy vehicles churned up the sodden surface of the Myre and Angus Council is looking at major repairs to the grass in parts of the park, which is home to a well-used football pitch.
Prior to the arrival of the circus, the Myre also hosted a major schools event to coincide with the journey of the Olympic torch through Forfar and Forfar Gala Day.
A council spokesman said: ”We will charge for the reinstatement of the ground. However, the extent and cost has not yet been determined as the area will have to dry out slightly before we can assess the work required.
”The ground may simply require to be rolled and seeded or it may need soiling, levelling and reseeding. The rental charged to the circus was £411.30.”
The manager of the Big Kid Circus was unavailable for comment, but the popular family attraction is now in its eighth year of touring the UK.