Did they not think it was cruel? Night 11 polar bears 'performed' before Grimsby big top crowd of 4,500

A reader has submitted this cutting from the Juy 17, 1962 edition of the Grimsby Telegraph.

Were they so disrespectful of such magnificent creatures 60 years ago?

The previous evening had seen the second performance of Billy Smart's Circus, with a crowd of 4,500, under the big top in Grimsby.

The newspaper's reporter writes: "An entirely new and unique act was given by 11 polar bears presented by Alphonse Arndt of Germany."

Another feature of the show consisted of elephants 'dancing' to the music of a hit record of the day, The Twist, by Chubby Checker.

Guests at the performance included the Mayor and Mayoress of Grimsby, Ald and Mrs E. Marshall, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Cleethorpes, Cllr and Mrs H. Loftis.