Circus promoter Silvio Zammit insisted today that animals should continue to feature in circuses brought to Malta as they were very popular with the Maltese.

Speaking at a press conference, he said a petition launched by his circus in Manoel Island had attracted 2,000 signatures in three days.

Reacting to a White Paper which proposes a ban on animal circuses, Mr Zammit said that should legislation be enacted the current circus could well be the last in Malta featuring animals.

This he said, would disappoint many Maltese, particularly those who did not have the opportunity to visit zoos abroad,.

He insisted that animals were not ill treated in the circuses brought to Malta, and international standards were followed on the size of cages and travelling time.

"The animals are treated as pets," he said.

Mr Zammit said he was in favour of stronger regulation and even a ban on the participation in circuses of animals which were endangered.

Mr Zammit said his circus would also set up its tent in Ghajnsielem between January 8 and 19.