Norman Barrett MBE and his amazing budgies: Zippos Circus

The announcement was made at the Hall of Fame's annual Circus Greats awards dinner and induction ceremony in Peru, Indiana in the US on July 23.

Barrett, now 75 years old, said: "I am honoured and delighted to receive this accolade both for myself and for British circus in general. I'm fortunate that I love what I do. I love every performance and never get bored because the audiences are always different."

The accolade comes a year after the Blackpool-based ringmaster was awarded an MBE.

Barrett first appeared in the ring at the age of 12 in Harry Cody's Circus, working with Cody as a clown. His career includes 25 years at Blackpool Tower Circus -- 17 of them with Charlie Cairoli -- six at Blackpool's Superdome and two with New York's Big Apple Circus. He has been ringmaster with Zippos Circus since 2001, where he also presents his signature budgerigar act.

The Hall of Fame was established in Sarasota in 1957 and moved to Peru in 1985. Inductees' circus achievements must be "stellar, inspirational, unique and legendary".