Harry Potter mania is adding extra magic to a group's activities.

The hysteria surrounding the recent release of the movie based on JK Rowling's celebrated creation has sparked new interest locally in wizardry.

And Bradford Magic Circle hopes the stories, which have kept many children across the land spellbound, will help elevate its next production to a new plane.

The circle -- which has around 80 members drawn from an area stretching from Skipton to Wakefield -- is currently preparing for its annual Hey Presto! Magic Show.

And the extravaganza -- to be held at Bingley Arts Centre on March 9 -- could not be better timed.

Circle treasurer and long time member Keith Pickles, well known in Keighley for his children's magic shows, said the Potter factor was making its presence felt.

He said: "I spend most of my time doing children's magic, and I have noticed considerably more interest in youngsters' magic parties.

"Whether the upsurge is maintained -- or the Harry Potter factor simply becomes a passing fad -- remains to be seen, but it has certainly done us no harm.

"We experienced a similar thing during the years when Paul Daniels featured a lot on TV. There was a big increase in interest. However, that waned when he disappeared from screens."

Keith, 52, has been interested in magic since his early teens.

The former Keighley man, whose parents still live in the town, is an accountant by profession, but to many he is simply Uncle Keith.

A circle member for around 20 years, he has bamboozled thousands of children -- and adults -- with his skills.

And he is very proud of the fact that the Bradford Magic Circle has become the biggest in the north-east.

Its annual show has now been a permanent fixture on the calendar for about three decades, and was held at the library theatre in Bradford until moving to Bingley.

Performers at the next show will include champions of illusion Xanadu, Harlequin children's magic, the north of England's top junior magician Dazzling Darren, Stevie B, and Magic from the Mystical East with Lian Tan, Genie and Mi Yung Tan.

Tickets -- priced £5 for adults, and £4 concessions -- can be obtained through Bradford Theatres booking offices and agencies, or by phoning 01274 752000.