A circus was forced to halt a show after an acrobat fell from height during a stunt.

Audience members looked on in horror as the man, reportedly in his 20s, lost his footing while performing on the “giant wheel of death” at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.

He is believed to have fallen around 33ft (10 metres) following the accident on Wednesday evening.

Organisers say the man remained conscious, but that they immediately stopped the Christmas Spectacular show due to his injuries.

A spokesperson for the show told Sky News the acrobat was taken to hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition after being monitored overnight.

The spokesperson said: “Obviously this sort of event is scary for all involved.

“We are all wishing a speedy recovery for our fellow cast member.

“We would like to pass on our thanks to the audience in attendance who were very understanding and remained calm.”

The performer is believed to have suffered broken bones in the fall, the BBC reported.

Jack Jay, who is also the circus ringmaster, told the broadcaster: “He was fully conscious after the fall and two members of the audience, believed to be an off-duty police officer and a paramedic, came forward to help.

“It looked like mistiming. He went to jump through one of the wheels and slipped, landing on the floor.”