Members of Bedford Animal Action have complained to Northampton Borough Council about Anne travelling with the Bobby Roberts Super Circus, despite a long-standing council ban on animal circus performers.

Three separate protests were due to take place over the Easter weekend at the circus, which is at Midsummer Meadow.

But a spokesman for the circus said the RSPCA had checked the conditions of the animals, and the living quarters, and were "completely happy".

Justina McLennan, of Bedford Animal Action, said: "We are against the use of animals in circuses full stop, so we would have carried out these demonstrations anyway.

"But we are particularly concerned about Anne because she is so old and because she has health problems, including arthritis.

"Even if the animals are not actually performing, they are still being transported around the country and held in conditions which are far from ideal.

"It's appalling the council has allowed the circus to perform on its land."

The leader of the council, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St David's) said the ban on performing animals applied only to exotic animals, not dogs or horses.

He added: "I have not had time to respond to this properly yet, but if it is the case council rules have been broken then we need to look into it to make sure it does not happen again."

A spokesman for Bobby Roberts Super Circus said the organisation was proud to be an animal circus, and was regularly checked by licensing authorities. She said: "We are checked all the time; it's constant.

"We had the RSPCA here two days ago and there were absolutely no problems at all. The inspectors were completely happy with the condition of the animals and their living quarters."