Cobbler Dennis Manville did not drag his feet to rise to the challenge of repairing Tweedy the clown's size 37 shoes.

As soon as he spotted Tweedy's plea for help in the Argus, Dennis hotfooted it down to Zippo's Circus and offered his services for free.

Within hours he had fixed the huge shoes and returned them back to the circus on Hove Lawns in time for the start of Thursday's afternoon performance.

Dennis, owner of Manville's of Hove Shoe Repairers in Montefiore Road, Hove, said: "The shoes were falling apart and I had to strip them right down to the uppers and rebuild them.

"It was the biggest pair of shoes I have ever worked on but fortunately it was quiet in the shop so I had the time."

The job - already quite a feat - was made a little awkward by the huge toes of the shoes which are padded with horsehair.

But Dennis, 61, managed to fit new soles, made of rubber because Tweedy is vegetarian and will not wear leather, in time for the clown to test them out in the big top by 3pm.

Grandfather-of-five Dennis, who started repairing shoes when he was just 13, also put in new insoles and buffed up the funny footwear.

He said: "Tweedy was over the moon when I gave him them back and said they looked like new boots.

"I didn't charge him but asked if he would donate some money to a children's charity instead."

The repair job has stopped Tweedy's feet from getting sore and has also saved him a few pounds.

A new pair similar to his 16 inch-long black shoes with a white trim, would have cost about £150.

Tweedy, a member of the award-winning troupe of clowns, has not had his shoes repaired for five years since he joined Zippo's Circus.

Years of clowning around in about ten circus performances a week had taken its toll on his silly shoes which were custom-made to fit his size 11 feet.

On Friday Nick Barltrop, who is in charge of the circus, said: "Tweedy is delighted with the shoes and would like to say a big thank you to Mr Manville and the Argus for coming to his rescue."

Zippo's Circus is performing at Hove Lawns on the seafront until Tuesday.

For ticket information call 07050 121416.