Most job applicants would consider calling the police if an interviewer asked them to stand still and have knives thrown at them.

But when an advert was posted in a Brighton job centre asking for candidates to do just that, almost 30 hopefuls replied.

The advert offered an "above-minimum wage" for a knife-thrower's assistant to stand in front of a 3ft wide board twice a day and have knives hurtled in their direction at 60mph.

No experience was required but enthusiasm was essential and some circus skills would come in handy.

Perks were likely to include varied work, plenty of travel opportunities and as much popcorn as you could eat.

Media relations officer Gavin Telford said: "Being with the circus is not just a job, it is a way of life. We travel all over the place and we don't have regular working hours. It is something we all have to love."

The position of knife-thrower's assistant is not for the faint-hearted as the job involves some very real dangers.

Mr Telford said: "They do have some close shaves as it is a live show. Someone does get hit from time to time.

"It is the same with all the acts. The other day someone was about to do a triple somersault on the trapeze when someone in the audience let off a camera flash which completely dazzled him and he missed it."

The most important qualities for a knife-thrower's assistant are fearlessness and an ability to stand very still.

The circus's knife-thrower, 22-year-old Jaydee Hansen, said: "The perfect candidate needs to be able to listen and stand there very still and not move at all when I'm ready to throw the knives. That is the most important thing."

Mr Hansen was born into a circus family and has 11 years' experience as a knife-thrower but even he occasionally misses the mark.

He said: "The knives are quite sharp and they will mark you if they hit you. I haven't had too many accidents though I did hit my current assistant with a knife about two weeks ago and she had to have stitches.

"Now she doesn't want to do it any more, which is why I need to find a new assistant."

His assistant, 20-year-old Yana Rodionova, said she had lost her nerve since the accident and wanted to concentrate on her hula hoop act.

She said: "I was on a moving board when I got hit but I had to carry on and finish the act. By the end the audience were standing up and clapping me because I went on with it even though they could see I was dripping blood. My advice to whoever gets the job is just don't move. You've got to really trust Jaydee. He doesn't hit anyone very often and never on purpose."

The dangers involved in the job were enough to give some of the candidates second thoughts, with some dropping out of the running before the final interview.

The first applicant to take the test, 40-year-old Jules Orme, of Glastonbury, was made of sterner stuff.

She said: "I was staying in Brighton with friends when I heard about the job and decided to give it a go. I have done a lot of performing so I am used to the lights and being in front of an audience.

"Up until now I have never done anything quite like this. Stilt-walking was the most dangerous thing I've tried so far."

The interview took place inside the circus big top in Preston Park, Brighton. The stage lights were switched on and Ms Orme was asked to stand with her back to a 3ft by 6ft board.

Mr Hansen tried out his act by hurling ten knives into the board, all of them landing within inches of her body.

Afterwards, she said: "It wasn't too bad, though it made me quite nervous when I heard the knives thudding into the board. They sound really loud when they are right next to your head.

"When he asked me to turn my head sideways I could see them coming which was quite frightening but I think I can cope with it."

Ms Orme was told she would have to wait a few days to find out if she had the job. More applicants will be interviewed this weekend.