Magician gets Magic Circle's most prestigious award

A magician is due to receive the highest award from one of the world's most prestigious magic societies.

Reg Martin from Bicester, Oxfordshire, who worked on the Paul Daniels Magic Show for 13 years, has been performing magic and making tricks for decades.

In July, the president of the Magic Circle, based in London, will present him with a Gold Star, the most prestigious membership level.

"That's something to be very proud of. There's not many of us," Martin said.

The Magic Circle writes on its website that it was founded in 1905 "to promote and advance the art of magic".

Members have to abide by the Latin motto which translates as "not apt to disclose secrets".

It has more than 1,700 members worldwide including many top magicians, such as Dynamo, Jamie Raven, Debbie McGee and Magical Bones.

Martin joined the Magic Circle 40 years ago, when he said newcomers had needed to be recommended and seconded by an existing member.

To receive membership, aspiring magicians needed to take an exam - "a little magic act of 12 minutes" judged by "quite prominent magicians".

"Then if you want to progress, you can take a further degree, which is called associate of the Inner Magic Circle," Martin said.

"The final degree is what they call a member of the inner magic circle with the gold star which is by call of the president only."

Martin said he was "really proud" of the accolade.

In the 1990s, he received an award from Dame Vera Lynn for best article in the society's Magic Circular magazine, to which he regularly contributed.

Martin said people liked to see "what they call a classic of magic, which might be cups and balls or linking rings".

"I would class myself now that I'm older more of an inventor of magic," he said.

"I'm coming up with new ideas, but that is only possible when you grasp pretty well everything."

Martin has not been able to perform since he survived a stroke 10 years ago but that has not stopped him from making magic.

"All them years ago I was given a small magic set, just a little magic box and that progresses into what I think is an excellent hobby.

"The hobby side of magic is really the thing that's kept me going."