The council will not allow any animal circuses on its property, which campaigners have said is “the first step towards a complete ban”.

Independent Cllr Gary Donnelly made the proposal after identifying what he saw as a gap in the Welfare of Animals Act 2011, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

He said: “There really is no place for animals being used for entertainment in circuses any more and this ban sends a strong message that it is no longer acceptable to have horses or llamas performing tricks.

“It is cruel to have four-legged animals performing tricks on two hind legs or jumping through hoops of fire, and I am glad that Derry City and Strabane District Council has sent out a message that this kind of cruelty will not be endorsed by permitting circuses to set up on its land.”