THE folder thumped onto my desk. "I want you on this story," barked the news-ed.

"No problem boss, I'm your man. What have you got for me? An in-depth, undercover investigation? Tackling drug-pushers and the seedy criminal underworld? Interview with a top celeb?"

"Nope, circus, Haverfordwest, get yourself up there."

"Circus? I'm a serious journalist, exposing social ill and fighting for the truth etc. Why would I want to chat to jugglers and flexible, nubile, fit, scantily-clad young women...on second thoughts, leave it to me."

So off to the County Showground it was for a sneak preview of the Cottle and Austen combined circus.

The circus brings together acts from South America, Mongolia, Kenya, Romania, Hungary, Russia, Portugal and Spain and the massive, centrally heated big top is an impressive sight in itself.

First on the interview hit-list was Diego Marakova, the human cannonball. Unfortunately Diego speaks no English.

He does, however, look spookily like Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen (hmm, firing Llewellyn-Bowen out of a cannon, now there's a reality programme in the making).

And as my Spanish stretches to Real Madrid and David Beckham, the interview was somewhat doomed from the start.

Fortunately in stepped circus press officer Marnie Dock, a former human cannonball herself.

Marnie explains that when Diego is blasted from the cannon by pressurised air he can reach speeds of over 60mph. Flying from one side of the big top to the other, caught only by a net.

You don't see many human cannonball jobs advertised so how on earth does someone get into it?

"I got into it by accident really," said Marnie. "My father built the cannons and I saw someone else doing it. I really wanted to try it but my dad was firmly against it. Eventually I persuaded him to let me and I became the youngest girl in the world to do it."

And what is it like getting fired?

"The first time it was petrifying but you get into it. It's the most amazing feeling."

But, unsurprisingly, very dangerous too. Marnie badly broke her leg during an act and Diego suffers regular back pain and knee problems.

So kids, next time your mum warns you not to play with cannons you listen, okay?

Among the other acts are some of the top slapstick clowns, the one wheel wizards from Africa - think the Harlem Globetrotters on unicycles - and oriental knotted contortionists.

Meanwhile the white devils flying trapeze troupe give everyone raging vertigo as they perform somersaults and acrobatics high above the main ring.

Also making an appearance is Blue Peter world hula hoop record breaker Yana Rodionova.

Yana is also known for getting hit on the head by a knife live on ITV's This Morning. She later married the man who hit her with the knife. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen, I suppose.

The Cottle and Austen circus is at Withybush Showground until Sunday February 27. Shows are at 5pm and 7.45pm Thursday and Friday and 2pm and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. To contact the Box Office telephone 07030 170 170.