Clowning around by the Lakeside...

This weekend event marks the recent completion of a £30m refurbishment of Lakeside Shopping Centre.

There are circus parades featuring clowns, magicians and balloonists. The big top showcases acrobats and jugglers (11am, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm), while circus skills workshops give children the chance to ride a unicycle, stilt walk and juggle (11.30 am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm).

Game adults can join in free trapeze taster sessions and there are also traditional fairground rides.

Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Essex (01708 869 933). Sat 28 Aug, 9am-7.30pm, Sun 29 Aug, 11am-5pm, Mon 30 Aug, 10am-6pm, free. www.lakeside.uk.com.