Animal rights activists are protesting against a circus booked for the Brighton Festival because of its use of trained ponies.

Giffords Circus will be putting on nine shows as part of the festival in May.

The award-winning troupe has been touring across England since it was launched in 2000 as a re-creation of the traditional Thirties circus.

It won the coveted £10,000 Jerwood circus award in 2002 for performances featuring dancers, contortionists, strongmen and jugglers.

But it is the use of trained horses that has disgusted mother-of-one Denise Friend, 46, of Hythe Road, Brighton, and members of the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS).

Ms Friend said: "I was really quite shocked. I was going through my festival programme and I noticed that the circus would be having ponies.

"I think it is an outdated and degrading use of animals and it is not in keeping with a city that likes to promote itself as a city of culture."

The circus complies with Brighton and Hove City Council policy, which only outlaws the use of wild animals in performances.

Ms Friend said she and others would protest outside the show tent in Preston Park at every performance.

She said: "Giffords Circus has been responsible for putting on some fantastic human-only shows that have delighted adults and children alike so I don't understand why they can't leave the animals at home."

CAPS was formed in Hove in 1957 but is now based in Preston. Campaign officer Craig Redmond said: "We are opposed to the use of all animals in circuses on the grounds of welfare because of the training methods that are used, the transportation of animals from site to site and the temporary accommodation they stay in.

"You cannot really meet the welfare needs of animals if you are travelling around constantly."

Organisers of the circus have defended their use of trained ponies.

Founder and producer Nell Gifford said: "We have a policy of zero tolerance towards animal cruelty on our show, other shows or indeed any context here or abroad.

"At Giffords Circus we believe in the genuine cross-species communication that can occur between human and equine artists in a safe and nurturing environment."

Her claims were supported by those behind the Brighton Festival. A spokeswoman said: "Giffords Circus was booked by the Brighton Festival and Zap Productions because of its reputation for being a circus of the highest calibre.

"We have met with Giffords Circus and were completely reassured by them that the horses are given priority treatment and are looked after with a sensitivity and understanding of their needs.

"We are also in liaison with the council to ensure that all regulations regarding animal welfare are met."

A spokeswoman for Seeboard, the festival's main sponsor, said the company was confident the circus complied with the highest standards of animal welfare.

RSPCA spokeswoman Klare Kennett said the charity did not approve of performing animals in any circumstances.

She said: "If a circus does come to town, the local inspector will have a look to make sure there are no problems but even if we don't find any problems, we still do not approve of the circus using animals."