By Ross Brewster

Last updated 16:46, Saturday, 23 August 2008

TWO Keswick street entertainers could face prosecution after the mayor accused them of going “beyond public decency” with their act in Market Square.

Police acted following complaints from councillor Roger Purkiss and the performers, who say they are circus trained, have been reported on summons for a public order offence.

The two men, who are from Bristol, perform an acrobatic act wearing just thongs and socks, putting lighted torches down their thongs and as a finale sticking lit sparklers between their buttocks and doing hand stands.

Their 20-minute act attracted over 100 spectators earlier this week, some of them children, and stunts included blowing up a rubber glove on their heads then bursting it with a torch.

Mr Purkiss said: “This is a matter of public decency and every person in this town should be greatly indignant that it is on our streets. It is disgraceful behaviour and very distasteful.”

He said the act might not be out of place in an adult nightclub, but it was not suitable for the streets in front of families with children.

A police spokesman said that a decision on whether they were to be charged would be made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The two men began their act in trousers and T-shirts, but later stripped down to thongs.

He said: “This is beyond the pale and not what a Lakeland tourist town is about.”

A voluntary street entertainment code of conduct was set up two years ago in Keswick, but traders say it is not working. There have been a number of complaints during the summer about entertainers blocking entrances to shops and the Moot Hall.

Mr Purkiss said: “We need a licensing scheme to be set up as soon as possible so we can rid our streets of some unwanted performers. People may think these acts are amusing, but when they target a particular member of the audience I think this is intimidation.”

Local authorities have been trying to reach agreement on some sort of licensing scheme for a number of years, but traders complain nothing happens.

A meeting between Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and police has been arranged for October 3.