Aberdeen City Council has revealed plans to establish a circus in the north-east for the next four years.
As part of proposals to create a regular Big Top Circus at Queens Link, the local authority is now encouraging companies to tender.
The animal-free enterprise aims to promote the city, and attract visitors from Aberdeen and surrounding areas.
The tender notice reads: “As part of the council’s on-going commitment to improving the city’s events offering, which strengthens Aberdeen’s image and reputation, we are now seeking to appoint a suitably competent and skilled operator to deliver a high-quality, non-animal, big top circus.
“The entertainment provided should be designed to attract an audience comprised of family groups from a wide cross-section of the community both within and outside the city.”
Labour councillor Willie Young believes the popularity of this year’s Christmas Village has demonstrated people in Aberdeen want to see a regular circus in the city.
Mr Young said: “The circus won’t come if the audiences aren’t there, but a circus feeds Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray because it draws a big attraction.”
Companies have until January 9 to submit their bids before the council decides who will deliver the event.
However, opposition SNP group leader Stephen Flynn has criticised the proposal.
He said: “I’m sure many families enjoy a circus, but if this is Willie Young’s plan to transform the events offering in Aberdeen, he really needs to stop clowning around given that the Moscow State Circus was in town just a few months ago.”
Mr Flynn has maintained the council should ensure events which take place in the city are “new and exciting”, using the recently announced Great Aberdeen Run as an example.
added: “My hope is that we will focus our attention on initiatives akin to those moving forward.”
