WHEREVER captive animals are put on public display, controversy is sure to follow.

So it has proved with the planned arrival of three bear cubs at Enstone’s annual village show this weekend.

The European brown bears, named Maxi, Amelia and Silver, are part of a menagerie at Chipping Norton-based Amazing Animals, who supply various exotic beasts for commercials, TV shows and movies.

Lined up against them is the grandly named Animal Defenders International, who, not surprisingly, want the visit cancelled.

Caught in the middle of the row are the poor old organisers of the show itself, who clearly didn’t see this fracas coming.

As the fur flies over this highly contentious issue, they are probably wishing they had booked a clown instead.