Organisers of a circus set to roll into town with an ageing arthritic elephant have been criticised by animal rights campaigners.

The Bobby Roberts Super Circus, which bills itself as "Britain's most popular traditional circus", opens in Glen Parva at the Leicester Road showground on Wednesday.

But the presence of one of the show's oldest performers, a 56-year-old arthritic elephant called Anne, has led animal welfare groups to call for a boycott.

The Indian elephant has been described as having "a touch of arthritis" in one leg.

Circus organisers have said they retired Anne seven years ago but she continues to tour with the other performers because she is "part of the family".

However, the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) has accused the circus of cruelty and said the elephant should be put into a sanctuary to see out her twilight years. The Manchester-based charity has called for a ban on animals being made to perform in circuses.

It believes they are confined for long periods and has questioned the training methods of some circuses. As well the elephant, The Bobby Roberts Super Circus will arrive in Leicestershire with seven Arabian stallions, six falabella ponies and two dogs, which will all feature in the 110-minute performances.

Animal rights campaigners have called on people in Leicestershire to make a stand by avoiding next week's shows, which will run twice a day from Wednesday to Sunday.

CAPS director Craig Redmond said: "People can enjoy circuses without animals being forced to perform."

He disputed the circus claims that Anne was retired.

He said: "She may be too arthritic to perform typical circus tricks any more, but she is still transported across the country so people can pay to have their photo taken alongside her.

"She deserves a real retirement, in a sanctuary with others of her species."

The Roberts family has been running a touring circus since 1945 and brothers Bobby and Tommy became household names in the 1970s, when their shows were broadcast on television. Ringmaster Mike Lea disputed claims of animal cruelty.

He said the performing animals were regularly checked by vets who had advised that the arthritic elephant should be kept with her touring company.

He said: "Anne has been with us for 51 years. We were told by vets that whatever we do we should keep her with the people she has known all her life – sending her away would just be too much for her.

"The Roberts family will look after her until her dying day.

"People can still have their pictures taken with her. She likes to still feel like part of the show and it helps generate income to keep the stables in hay."

As well as the animals the circus will entertain audiences with a father and son clown act, jugglers, hand balancers and a comedy sway pole.

Mr Lea said: "We are a family circus aiming to entertain families with a large magical extravaganza. Unlike other circuses we don't have wild cats like lions and tigers – we only use domestic animals."

Performing elephants were seen in the county for the first time in more than a decade when the Great British Circus set up its big top at the same location in Glen Parva this April.