Mental health patients are being taught wizardry after nurses said learning magic tricks can boost the self-esteem.

The NHS is advertising for “volunteer magicians” to expand the Magic Therapy Project scheme across wards in the North East.

Nurses said patients’ lives have been transformed after they were shown how to amaze loved ones with little more than a deck of cards and an NHS magic wand.

Success stories include a man who had not spoken for four years who is now an accomplished conjurer and can now hold an audience spellbound with his patter.

The scheme was started by Eamonn McClurey, Community health and learning disability nurse with Middlesbrough-based Tees, Esk and Wear Valley’s trust.

Mr McClurey, 45, said: “I was always interested in magic as a child. I was shy and quiet and it gave me confidence because it is unique talent.

“I was working on holiday camps doing magic before going into nursing. I never thought anything about it until I saw a report about how card tricks could help with physio.