BRITAIN’S oldest circus show Swamp Circus is one of 40 live acts taking place across three stages at this year’s Poole Harbour Festival.

Swamp Circus will stage free 45-minute circus shows on Saturday and Sunday with performers including acrobats, jugglers, jesters, dancers and fire artists. Organisers of the three-day event at Harbourside Park promise a full weekend’s entertainment from July 26 to 28 with a live music bill headlined by In the Summertime hitmakers, Mungo Jerry whose singer Ray Dorset lives in Westbourne, on Saturday. They’re joined on the Big Top main stage by a host of tribute artists including Foo Fighters GB, UK Guns & Roses, The Prodigy tribute Jilted Generation, the Ed Sheeran Experience, Oasiss and also the band Coldplace.

“Poole Harbour Festival is an established highlight of summer in Poole, a brilliant day the whole family can enjoy together,” says festival organiser Ben Dyas.

“Ray Dorset wasn’t alone when he jumped at the chance to bring Mungo Jerry – we get a great audience and the location on the shores of Poole Harbour is sensational. No wonder they say we’re the best value festival in Poole!”

This year’s festival also features an expanded Harry Rocks Stage bill and production with greater emphasis on original local acts including Black Water County, Saints of Sin and Pronghorn as well as Mr B Gentleman Rhymer who raps about cricket, good manners and pipe smoking while playing the banjolele.

The Dance tent stars international DJ legends Brandon Block and Dave Pearce with Jon Langford and Paul Moss.There will also be street food from around the world, free children’s entertainment and local crafts.

* Tickets now available at pooleharbourfestival.com.