DANGLING precariously high up in the air fills Naomi Giffen with energy and excitement.

The former ballet and dance teacher loves performing aerial stunts.

The 33-year-old trained in circus skills in Vermont in America and worked as a freelance performer across the UK.

The mum-of-two now shares her passion for thrills and spills teaching children and adults of all ages through her performance company Barnton Circus at Life Church.

“I climbed everything as a child and always wanted to be in the circus,” said Naomi, from Barnton.

“I loved performing dance but felt there was something missing. I met some acrobats and did some work with them, it was brilliant! I decided to spread my wings and trained in aerial.

“Working at height is terrifying and dangerous but also fun and exciting. The two biggest things when performing are fear and pain.

“It hurts and it is scary. You are constantly trying to work with these two powerful sensations to tell a story.

“My training is injury-prevention based. Safety has to be your primary focus when you’ve got a family.”

Naomi has two sons, Zedadiah, four, and 18-month-old Malichi, and expects her third child in February.

She says she couldn’t run her business without the support of her husband Alan, a secondary school physics and geology teacher.

Her staff are all trained in aerial circus, ground circus, dance or acting and teach as well as perform bespoke acts on the hoop, silks and static trapeze at corporate events.

Naomi believes everyone can accomplish aerial skills.

“Anyone whether you are disabled, 50 or 80, can spin in a cacoon and swing,” she said.

“All children want to do is swing around and pretend they are flying.

“Most adults come in not sure about it but are amazed at how much they can achieve. It’s lovely seeing them realise they are stronger, fitter and braver than they think.

“They take a lot of selfies and I tell them they should celebrate doing these amazing things.”

Northwich Arts commissioned her company to perform a piece for their arts festival at Barons Quay in the summer.

“My dream is to move towards achieving a whole art community,”added Naomi. “I would like to set up a multi integrated arts centre with circus, dance and drama, a hub where people could watch performances, come to shows and enjoy classes.

“We just love our community and want people to engage and have fun.”