One of the regular events of the year in Bolton, was the visit of the circus.
And there was always a good laugh or two to be had during the tour of the town by performers drumming up trade for the show.
The photograph is from the Bolton Evening News in 1952. A photographer was sent to get a picture when, as he was setting up, the window above the wine shop opened and a lady popped her head out.
She certainly earned her free tickets to Billy Smart's Circus.
Things didn't go strictly to plan in 1948 when Marayn Swami, a 36-year-old lion-tamer from Madras, India, was attacked by one of his lions on stage at the Grand Theatre, Bolton.
The Bolton Evening News reported: "Only his valiant efforts to free himself from the clutches of the lion, the screams from the audience, and the efforts of other members of staff, which distracted the beast's attention, saved his life."
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Mr Swami was taken to Bolton Infirmary - after he had insisted on taking a bow - where wounds to his neck, chest, shoulder and back were treated.
The story told us that Mr Swami had been a circus performer for 25 years and was also a knife thrower and rope trick performer.
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