A circus woman also known as The Woman of Steel has appealed for 500 phone books to ensure the continuity of her show in northern England.

German-born Sylvia Brumbach, who rips up telephone directories as part of her act, told Reuters that she was about to run out of books after destroying over half of the stock she had at Blackpool Tower Circus, reports Reuters.

Brumbach, who claims to tear a directory in half in around 30 seconds, has placed ads in local newspapers appealing for more books.

"You have to find the right point to rip, the book must not be too old and the spine must be tough, not wobbly," she said.