CHAINSAW-juggling brought Winchester High Street to a standstill on Saturday afternoon.

Scores of fascinated shoppers, residents and tourists looked on as local street performer, The Mighty Gareth, juggled with a real chainsaw.

The 38-year-old street performer, who was born in the city, got the crowd involved as he performed death-defying stunts, such as juggling with knives and performing a display with a whip.

Gareth, who used to be a computer operator, said: "The best part of being a performer is being able to travel. I've been to Indonesia, Korea and lived in Iceland for 13 years.

"I got bored of working with computers and I discovered Covent Garden and I've been doing it now for 18 years."

Sam Borthwick, from Littleton, watched with his family. The 11-year-old said: "It was really, really amazing. It was so cool how he juggled the chainsaw."

His sister, Cara, 5, added: "It was great fun."

The Mighty Gareth performs in the High Street most Saturday afternoons.