In the UK it is not uncommon for an orbit in the circuit. I am a little surprised by the comments above. OF COURSE take extreme care but if it aids spacing then I can't see what's wrong as long as you make your intentions very clear. I have also been instructed by ATC on occasions. Please leave the Southend incident out of this. We all know it shouldn't have happened and was very unfortunate.
Pilot DAR. Thank you for your very informative posts and sorry for the thread drift. Now I'm retired I can't afford to fly very much but have good memories. Keep it going!