The three-day event ended this year's annual international Magic Festival, run by South Tyneside Council.

A number of companies set up stalls in the community room at the Customs House in Mill Dam, South Shields, to show off their tricks and trade.

One of the stall holders was Russell Hall, owner of Magick Enterprises, who had travelled from Sheffield.

He said: "This is the second time I've been part of the convention. It's good fun.

"I've been into magic now for more than 30 years and my company is the only one of its kind which produces a multimedia magazine in DVD format."

The owners of Magicbox, a Newcastle-based company which was sponsoring the event, were also there.

They were selling a variety of tricks and magic gadgets that even the most novice magician could master.

Michael Murray, magician and part-owner of the business, said: "We've been doing magic everywhere this week, in schools, restaurants and in the streets. It went down really well.

"There's 130 magicians here at the moment so we're all having a great time and there should be plenty of magic at the after-show party."

Mr Murray added: "It's been a really great week, hopefully we've inspired the people of South Tyneside to take an interest in magic now."

Children from the borough were also treated to a morning of wizardry as a special show was put on in their honour.

* The Magicbox in Percy Street, Newcastle is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a DVD which shows a number of special tricks being performed in the region's bars and restaurants.

Also available to win are a stiff rope trick kit and a £10 voucher to spend in the shop.

To win answer this question: How many playing cards are in a deck?

Send your answer on a postcard with your name, age, address and daytime contact number to Magic Competition c/o Verity Ward, The Shields Gazette, Chapter Row, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 1BL. Entries must be in by next Friday.