It may be most people's favourite phrase, but the words "the circus is coming to town" are a cause of concern for one local woman and her son.

Circus Mondao rolled into Monmouth earlier this week complete with big-top, clowns, aerial acts and some other more unusual performers. The circus is one of the last remaining groups in the UK that uses animals in its shows.

Although many people are happy to see the circus in the town for its first visit, tension has been growing with some residents objecting to the group's use of animals.

Circus Mondao uses horses, zebras, camels, dogs and birds in its acts.

A local woman, who has asked not to be named, has travelled the country protesting against the use of animals in the circus and was shocked to hear they would be arriving in her home town; "I did not think Monmouth was the sort of place that would accept this kind of thing".

The woman and her son are concerned that the "wild animals" are out of place in the show.

"Our aim is to get wild animals banned from circuses.

"They are wild animals – it does not matter if they are fed, watered and looked after, they – are not meant to perform and be transported around the country.

"It is not natural and is a stressful environment, I would welcome the circus here without the animals." said the woman.

A peaceful protest is expected to go ahead at one of the circus' evening shows.

When asked about the protesters, Circus Mondao's Ringmistress Petra Jackson said:

"Yes our animals are performing in the circus shows but they are no different to a dog agility team or a horse in a dressage ring.

"We are set up on Monmouth Show Ground where the people of Monmouth have performing animals every year. We are no different to a county show.

"We are a small minority of people and are easily picked on and we are not represented fairly.

"We are inspected regularly by the Government as well as local animal inspectors. Our horses have large stables and our camels have large enclosures. We are no different to your next door neighbour keeping a pony".

The argument is ongoing and is not expected to be resolved before the circus moves to its next destination on Monday 9th April.