JAKE Barlow has launched a career as a professional magician - at the age of 13.

The youngster is Poynton's own David Blaine, a master of mystery and a juggling genius.

When the Poynton High schoolboy, of Sutton Road, Higher Poynton, performs for a crowd, they are stumped by his sleight of hand, quick-witted trickery and devious mind play.

Dressed in his slick shirt and trouser get-up, his rabbit-free performance leaves audiences - young and old - hopping with excitement, and laughing at his quirky sense of humour.

So when Jake, one of the youngest performing magicians in the country, was asked to entertain at the Civic Centre for Poynton Parish Plan's first birthday, even the councillors were lost for words!

"It was great to perform at the Civic Ceremony, I had a magical time and everyone seemed to enjoy it," said the Manchester Junior Magic Circle member.

"When I'm older I'd definitely like to become the next Derren Brown; that would be brilliant!"

Like many modern dreams, Jake's started in America - at the tender age of six.

He said: "I went to New York when I was really young and we saw a magician, I remember thinking he was amazing.

"After the show, I bought my first magic set and then I just practised, practised and practised."

And it seems to have made his magic perfect, with a performing knack and natural charisma beyond his years.

A few years later, he travelled with his parents, Doug, 45, and Jane, 42, on holiday to San Francisco.

"I just started showing a couple at the next table some of my magic and then they gave me $2, my first paying gig!"

And now the teenager is a performing pro - earning a respectable £45-an-hour or a special rate of £60 for two hours - with his own website and string of gigs lined up to showcase his card tricks, five-ball juggling ability and metal ring mind-puzzlers.

He often performs among the customers at Stigs' Hairdressers, on Park Lane, Poynton, and for his schoolpals, and is well known in the community.

He said: "Most of my tricks start off convincing the audience it's all going to go horribly wrong but then I turn it around and surprise them."

Jake, an only child, who owns a hamster called Gizmo, added: "It is great to be able to perform in front of people, I love it, and my friends at school are always asking me to do magic for them."

Tonight (Wednesday) he is competing in the finals of Poynton's Got Talent - the village's answer to the TV blockbuster Britain's Got Talent - at Poynton High School at 7pm.

Dad Doug, a project manager at a London company, and Jane, a property developer, say they are proud of Jake.

But Doug added: "It's great - although sometimes when I'm asked to pick a card, any card, at 7am on a weekend - I wish he could just magic himself back to bed!"

  • To find out more about Jake - or book him for a magical event - go to his website at www.magicmyway.co.uk