Peter Kinney from Larbert has only been appearing as a children's magician for two years.

Yet Peter, who goes by the stage name Magic Pete, has been awarded the prestigious title of Children's Entertainer of the Year at the Scottish Association of Magic Societies (SAMS) annual convention.

Held recently in Montrose, the event brings together magicians from across the country to compete in three categories.

As well as the children's entertainment section, tricksters also test their stage act and close-up skills.

Magic Pete (41) beat off stiff compe-tition to win the Max Ras-kin
Trophy – named after the founder of SAMS.

Part of his show includes making a bowling ball appear from a paper bag as well as a puppet routine with more than a touch of trickery.

He said: "I was really pleased to win as I had been practising
long and hard.

''I enjoy entertaining and the majority of my work is with kids. I seem to have a good rapport with them.

"I've been into magic from a young age.

"Like most kids I got a magic set and tried a few tricks, but then I didn't do anything for a long time.

''Later on I began reading about magic and bought another kit.

''I moved to Scotland 12 years ago and started doing more and more, then, two or three years, ago I joined the Forth Valley Magic Circle."

After watching the children's magicians there, Peter, who works as a draughtsman when not indulging in his hobby, decided to have a go himself, and soon had a routine worked out.

His act is now two hours long and includes games and a quiz.
Magic Pete is available for weddings and corporate functions as well as children's parties.