By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:39, Friday, 20 November 2009

WITH a flick of his wand, a Haydon Bridge High School pupil has made it through to the finals of a national online talent competition.

On the cards: Magician Steven Bridges of Thorngrafton, Bardon Mill, who is through to the finals of an online talent show.

Magician Steven Bridges (17), of Thorngrafton, near Bardon Mill, will battle it out with 10 other finalists from across the UK to win the www.1click2fame.com competition and £25,000 in prize money.

Steven has been practising magic for the past seven years, performing at various functions, including weddings, and at the Bardon Mill Carnival.

He’s hoping to make magic his career when he leaves school and now it looks like his dedication to the art may be about to pay off.

He said: “I am quite overwhelmed that I have got so far, but it shows that I am on the right track.

“I really hope I win because this will be magic for my career.”

To get through to the finals, Steven sent in video footage of him performing his magic on the streets of Newcastle.

Following his selection he was then taken to Pineapple Studios in London and filmed showcasing his skills in Covent Garden.

He said: “The whole experience has been fantastic and going down to London was absolutely amazing.”

Steven has been hooked on magic every since he saw well-known magician Geoffrey Durham perform at Hexham’s Queen’s Hall.

He said: “Magic is a unique performing art that you can use in any situation.

“I think that magic is, in a way, all about doing the impossible and that is what attracted me to it.”

To win Steven now needs the general public to vote for him online at www.votemagician.net. Voting opened yesterday and will close on Thursday, November 26.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk