A circus billing itself as the "greatest show on earth" will no longer be gracing Rochester with its presence after becoming the latest victim of coronavirus.

Circus of Horrors "blends horror and burlesque with bizarre and unbelievable acts" and was set to wow crowds at Jackson's Field on Saturday, October 17.

But now the likes of sword swallower Hannibal Hellmurto, The Mongolian Laughing Boy and Gary Stretch will be steering clear of the town after Medway Council pulled the plug on the event.

The show was part of the 25-year-old circus' Halloween tour, as was an appearance at Brighton's Preston Park this weekend which has also been cancelled.

The circus will now head to Blackpool at the end of the month and London's Clapham Grand next month.

Responding to a fan on Twitter the Circus said it had "tried to find a different site nearby but couldn't".

The show will travel to Margate and Chatham on Febraury 10 and 12 respectively.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway