When wild animals joined a circus parade through South Shields streets

Yet there was a time, as today’s picture piece confirms, when elephants, zebra and camels did just that – as the circus arrived in town.

The pictures from the Gazette’s archives, supplied by an unknown reader, show performers and animals from Billy Smart’s circus passing along Mortimer Road during what looks like the 1950s or 60s.

Do you remember the parade, and do you have fond memories of going to the circus as a child?

South Shields still welcomes a line of camels each winter for the annual parade, attended by thousands of people in the run-up to Christmas.

If you have a memory to share please contact me on [email protected].