TWO women from Penarth are aiming to bring a "new age" circus to Penarth as they are set to perform at the town's Summer Festival this year.

Elle Kate Edwards, 28 and Elaine Bennett, 38 both live just off Windsor Road and both have worked as trainers at NoFit State Circus.

No Fit is a professional large-scale contemporary circus company, producing touring productions and a variety of community, training, and education projects for people of all ages.

They only realised four or five months ago that they were near neighbours with a chance encounter.

Now the pair have set their ambitions on bringing a new style of circus to Penarth and are set to run a number of events in the coming months.

One of those will be performing at one of the fixtures of the summer calender, Carnival Day on the back of which they hope to launch their own regular performances in Penarth.

They say they have received positive feedback from Penarth Pier Pavilion, the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Penarth Town Council.

They also want to put on workshops to inspire people and show how accessible the modern circus can be.

Miss Edwards is an instructor in hula hoop while Ms Bennett specialises in the flying trapeze.

Miss Edwards said: "Our aim is to be able to buy a rig so we can set up in a variety of venues for performances.

"With a circus, you can target people of all ages and we think Penarth would be a great place to do it.

"The reception has been really positive and the local authority are just as excited as we are about it."

They also plan to run a month of outdoor performances in and around the pavilion and the pier in August.

They hope that the dance and visual art on show will appeal to all sections of the community.

Miss Bennett said: "Circus is more accessible than it used to be. You see a great mixture of people from different backgrounds and it is great to see what they can produce."

For more information, visit their facebook page 'Penarth Circus' or visit www.ellekate.net.