Ref. 72779-5 Alan Carter and his son CalebIT'S not every day you see a unicyclist, a clown and a juggler in a library.

But Saturday was an exception when North Swindon Library on the Orbital Shopping Park held a family fun day.

Organised by the Swindon Learning Partnership, it was designed to help parents take an interest in their child's education.

Jackie Crowther, family learning co-ordinator for Swindon Council, said it is vital mums and dads take an active role. "A child only spends around 15 per cent of his or her time in school," she said.

"So it's paramount that parents carry on the learning at home."

As well as the circus stunts, children also turned their hand to mask making and balloon modelling. Alan Carter, of Greenmeadow, helped son Caleb, six, make an impressive cheetah mask.

"I travel all over Europe with my work as an engineer but I make sure that I get involved in my son's education at weekends. It's part of being a parent."

Caleb said: "I really enjoyed making my mask with my dad."