Thomas Chipperfield used to say he had 300 years of animal training in his blood, but that long tradition has now come to an end with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen.

The scion of the famous circus family and Britain’s last lion tamer has been banned from using big cats in his travelling show.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said it refused to grant him a renewed licence “because of his previous conduct” as an operator of a travelling circus.

It has now emerged that Mr Chipperfield's appeal against the decision was turned down by North Staffordshire Magistrates Court in January.

Mr Chipperfield, 28, of Winchester, Hampshire, said no welfare concerns about the animals had been raised during the process and he is planning a new appeal.