This is the terrifying moment an angry performing bear attacked its handlers after being forced to ride a skateboard and beaten with a stick at a circus in Russia.

Children in the audience screamed as the animal turned on its keepers moments after riding down a ramp during a performance at a village in Russia's Volgograd region.

Desperate members of staff tried to beat the brown bear with sticks as it pinned a colleague to the ground.

Footage captures the terrifying moment an angry performing bear attacked its handlers after being forced to ride a skateboard and beaten with a stick at a circus in Russia

Children in the audience screamed as the animal turned on its keepers moments after riding down a ramp during a performance in Russia's Volgograd region

Desperate members of staff tried to beat the brown bear with sticks as it pinned a colleague to the ground

Spectators said it was clearly agitated and wanted to leave the arena - and became aggressive with its female handler.

A male member of the travelling circus troupe then repeatedly struck the animal with a stick, but this only enraged the animal more.

The predator overpowered the man, knocking him down and attacking him on the floor of the circus ring.

Scared spectators were just a few feet away - apparently with no barriers between them and the out-of-control bear.

Two women handlers then beat the animal with sticks and tried to drag the beast away. The man finally managed to get to his feet - evidently without serious injury.

Local woman Anastasia Mishcherina, from Olkhovka village, Volgograd region, said: 'My relatives and their little son went to the show.

'They sat in the front row, when they announced the performance of a "bear-visionary" or something of that kind. My relatives wanted to take a video and went closer to the exit.

Spectators said it was clearly agitated and wanted to leave the arena - and became aggressive with its female handler

A male member of the travelling circus troupe then repeatedly struck the animal with a stick, but this only enraged the animal more

The predator overpowered the man, knocking him down and attacking him on the floor of the circus ring

'Even on video it is clear that the animal was nervous. Reluctantly slipping off the ramp, the animal wanted to leave, but he was pulled back.

'Perhaps he realised that another flogging was waiting for him, and he decided to attack first.'

Local resident Nikolay told journalists: 'The circus is still in the village. They came from St. Petersburg - but now the whole Olkhovka passes by their big top tent in fear.

'I hope that the relevant authorities will conduct a check and understand what is going on in this circus.'

The village is 78 miles north of Volgograd city. The attack was at a show on Saturday.