Elstree magic man Nicholas Einhorn has something else to hide up his sleeve, after scooping the Magic Circle Centenary Magician trophy.

Judges were amazed at his sleight of hand and trickery, and even awarded an extra originality prize after he made a big hole magically appear in his tie.

To celebrate its centenary year, the Magic Circle decided to award a special prize only open to previous winners of their annual close-up competition, which Mr Einhorn won in 1996 and 2002.

Mr Einhorn, of Cavendish Crescent, who also picked up £600 prize money, has been performing for more than ten years.

In September last year he even had a go at predicting this paper's front-page headline.

He sealed his prediction Neighbours live in fear of yobs' in an envelope which was opened the following week and compared with our actual headline, Woman lives in fear of gang'. He also predicted the front page would carry a photo of a small dog, which it did.

Since then he has performed for the Duke of Edinburgh and Cherie Blair, amongst many others.

Mr Einhorn, 30, was delighted at his the award and is very excited about future projects including work for the BBC.