A long-time member of the Watford Association of Magicians has left his City job to pursue his dream of becoming a magician.

Ian Manly, 51, with the stage name of Mr Magic, has been performing magic part-time for the last 20 years on weekends.

Mr Manly found his spare time performances were a great stress relief from his City litigation job.

And after being made redundant three years ago and moving around several other jobs, he decided to take the leap and pursue his passion.

Mr Manly said: "It was my dream as boy to do magic as a job and after working for 32 years I made the jump."

He added: "With the downturn over the last two years I realised that I would get more satisfaction from performing magic."

After joining the Watford Association of Magicians, Ian discovered a different side to magic and was given the chance to learn from other magicians.

As his skills grew he built up a base of clients ranging from children's playgroups to corporate dinners around the Watford area.

"The most fun for me is being in front of 30 kids at a party and seeing them really believe in magic," he said.

"It takes me back to my childhood and when I first fell in love with magic."