A CHIPPING Norton student has joined a circus after completing a BSc honours degree in Equine and Human Sports Science.

Rosie Howard has also reached the finals of a Royal Agricultural Society of England award scheme with her thesis on how a Myler comfort snaffle affects equine locomotion.

Miss Howard, 23, took her degree course at Warwickshire College's Moreton Morrell Centre and equine lecturer Lee Hackett said: "This snaffle is a revolutionary new bit which has been selling by the bucketload and there are a lot of claims for it, but Rosie looked to see if the claims were relevant.

"This year saw the biggest entry ever in the award scheme, and Rosie has done especially well to get this far."

Miss Howard spent her work placement with the circus and is now spending a year with the travelling show.