A HUGE circus big top was raised in under five minutes on Thursday as the world famous Cirque de Soleil came to town.
A team of around 100 clowns, entertainers and technicians battled to lift the 2,500-seater tent on the troupe's final return to Manchester.
The gang erected the giant Grand Chapiteau at the Trafford Centre.
The big top stands at 55ft high with four masts reaching 26ft higher.
It will play host to the Saltimbanco show, which starts its run on January 6.
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