AS any magician knows, Blackpool's annual convention is the world wide Mecca for all things magic.

So for Barry children's entertainer and lifelong trickster Simon Sparkles, being handpicked to perform as one of just six contestants in the British Children's Entertainer National Championships at this year's convention was beyond magical.

The nomination itself is a huge achievement for any magician and so, although he didn't win the award, Simon couldn't be happier with having treaded the boards at the Blackpool Opera House - Europe's biggest stage.

Even more satisfying Simon, 44, said that as well as wowing the rows of children in the Opera House he also gained the kudos of having some of the thousands of magicians who also watched him perform confess that they couldn't figure out how he did some of his tricks.

Simon - real name Simon Hopkins - said: "The nomination itself is very prestigious so I was thrilled, I didn't expect it at all.

"Lots of people would love to have a go at doing what I did, so I'm just really thrilled that I had the chance. It's a great opportunity."

Simon - who is also the only Welsh person to compete for the award in its history - has been a professional magician for more than 30 years, starting it as a hobby when he was just eight-years-old.

Father-of-one Simon said: "I saw Paul Daniels on stage in Dartmouth and decided that's what I wanted I do."

During his life as a professional magician Simon has worked abroad and even spent some time as the resident magician at Barry Island's holiday camp.

Although he also performs close-up magic for older audiences it is Simon's work as a children's entertainer that has gained him the recognition of the public and the people at the Blackpool magic convention - which celebrated its 63rd year this February.

Explaining that he now performs for the children of people who were themselves entertained by his show as children, he said: "I've been doing this full time for over 30 years, I still love it.

"I still get pleasure from it. It's the sort of job that, if you don't enjoy it, you can't do it. You can't fake it.

"I enjoy the reaction. It's very satisfying to bring that little spark of magic to a child's special day. They'll remember that for the rest of their lives."