A RETIRED entertainer with two dozen tricks up his sleeve is staging classes to teach others the secrets of his craft.

Blackburn-born Harold Rothwell had been dazzling audiences from the age of 10 until he hung up his magician's hat 12 years ago.

But Harold, 74, has come out of retirement to run the lessons because he fears that the art of an entertainer is dying out.

Harold, who went to St Peter's Boys' Secondary Modern School, Byrom Street, Blackburn, made his first public performance for children at Blackburn Orphanage at the age of 10 after borrowing his grandfather's glove puppets.

Some 64 years later and he is skilled in card and money tricks, spinning plates, balloon modelling and Punch and Judy.

And he says he has more unusual skills in his repertoire, including palmistry, telepathy, tarot card reading and faith healing.

Harold, whose stage name is Harold Wells, was a member of Blackburn's magical society, the Modern Mystic League, before he travelled across the globe with his routines and performed in pubs, clubs and holiday camps in Russia, Malta and Spain.

Harold, who retired to Blackpool, said: "I had a talent for tricks when I was younger.

"I seem to know something about everything and not a lot about a single thing.

"I loved the theatre as a child. I would visit Blackburn's old Grand Theatre as often as I could, I started selling leaflets before teaching myself the tricks I'd seen.

"My mum wanted me to learn a trade so I became an electrical engineer but my boss would let me slip off work early to perform in shows and I enjoyed entertaining since then."

He added: "Laughter is the best medicine and has kept me young and in good health.

"Since the decline of the theatre there are few places for people to learn magic these days and the teaching sessions are a way to bridge the gap if anyone is interested in learning the trade."

Harold stages his Blackburn Learn the Secrets shows for all ages.

He picks a venue and a time when he has got enough people signed up.

Anyone interested should write to him at 63 Osborne Street, Blackpool, FY4 1HQ.