AN OXFORD circus boss says the Government must intervene to avoid further tragedies with wild animals.

Martin Burton, proprietor of Zippo's Circus, says successive Governments have dragged their feet over introducing a proper circus training qualification.

Mr Burton decided to break his silence over Government inaction after the tiger attack on circus worker Nigel Wesson at the Chipperfields' circus family's winter headquarters at Heythrop, near Chipping Norton.

Today an angry Mr Burton said: "Had this been put in place the recent unfortunate incidents involving circus animals might have been avoided. If the Gov- ernment does not act to restore public confidence in circuses then the existence of traditional shows such as ours will be threatened."

Mr Burton, who was born and educated in Oxford, said the Government first indicated six years ago that it wanted a national vocational qualification covering circus animals.

Mr Burton said: "Zippo's Circus was asked to pilot a circus NVQ that was being developed by the Government covering animal husbandry and beast care. But we are still waiting.

"There are NVQs for Red Coat entertainers at Butlins and people entertaining on cruise liners but not for people working with wild animals," he said.

"If the Government are to continue to allow circuses to have wild animals, then we believe they should ensure strict controls are in place and that all keepers and handlers are properly trained and can demonstrate a high degree of competence."

He said that as well as avoiding serious injuries to keepers, the qualification would also reduce ongoing claims about the mistreatment of wild animals in circuses.

Zippo's Circus, which opens in Oxford on Tuesday, has no wild animals but it introduced horses three years ago. The circus has developed its own code of conduct with the RSPCA and the International League for the Protection of Horses.

Oxfordshire circus trainer Mary Chipperfield has just become one of the biggest names to ever face allegations over animal cruelty. The famous trainer, 60, based at the family's Chipping Norton headquarters, is understood to have been questioned by police after claims that she kicked and whipped a camel. The scene was secretly filmed by the charity Animal Defenders.

Mr Wesson's left arm was ripped off at the elbow, after he broke the "unwritten rule" by putting his arm into the animal's cage."We are calling on Tony Blair to take immediate action.

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