Great Yarmouth's Hippodrome has a new weapon to drum up even bigger crowds for its Christmas shows - the X Factor.The Hippodrome has secured a television advertisement slot during the hit ITV talent show over the weekend of December 5 and 6.

Great Yarmouth's Hippodrome has a new weapon to drum up even bigger crowds for its Christmas shows - the X Factor.

The Hippodrome has secured a television advertisement slot during the hit ITV talent show over the weekend of December 5 and 6.

Lasting 20 seconds the advert will be promoting the Hippodrome's Christmas Spectacular show which runs from December 12 to January 3.

X Factor fans will see footage of aerial artist Robert Foxhall, the Brazalian Romeiro daredevil springboard troupe and graceful swimmers who will be appearing in the Christmas show.

Because of the X Factor's top ratings, Hippodrome owner Peter Jay has paid seven times the normal amount for an advertisement slot on night time ITV.

And Mr Jay hopes that the highly quiffed Jedward twins from Ireland - John and Edward Grimes - will still be on the X Factor on that weekend as they seem to draw the largest audiences with their much criticised act.

The advertisement was made by ITV Anglia's Commercial Beaks arm, and uses footage of the acts when they appeared in the Hippodrome this summer.

Other acts appearing in the Hippodrome Christmas Spectacular include the South African illusionist Ryan Sharp, Alonso the clown and Mongolian trapeze artiste Hishige.

For information on ticket prices and times for the Christmas Spectacular visit www.hippodromecircus.co.uk or call 01493 844172.