LOTS of young people spend their time playing video games, watching television or playing sports.

But James Holdsworth is a little different and in his spare time he perfects his sleight of hand, performs magic tricks and practices the art of illusion.

Aged just 13, James of Pound Lane, Basildon, has spent several years honing his skills and now performs for children and adults.

It was during a family holiday in Jersey, James witnessed a show by magician Damien James. At just eight years old, he was hooked.

James, a pupil at Appleton School, Benfleet, said: “When I saw him doing magic I really liked it. Somehow he was doing the tricks, but managing to make them funny at the same time.”

Returning from holiday, James was quick to ask his parents to buy basic tricks and with lots of practise he was soon displaying his skills to family and friends.

It was not long before his parents Perry, 47, and Claire, 44, were taken aback by his skill.

Perry, a market trader, said: “I was totally amazed. It seemed to come so naturally to him.

“You could tell he had something really special, so we just encouraged him as much as we could.” Over five years James has developed many different tricks, ranging from simple card tricks to a rare snake illusion.

His skill has been noticed by a number of people, including fellow magicians in the Southend Sorcerers’ Society.

He has won a number of awards there, including best newcomer.

Taking the stage name of James Magic, he has even beaten dozens of illusionists to become a finalist in the Southern England Magic Convention children’s entertainer of the year award.

James said Tommy Cooper and Joe Pasquale are his personal heroes, because of their reputations as comedians and magical performers.

He said: “My favourite thing about being on stage is making everyone smile.

“Some people just do the magic trick which is OK, but I find it a little boring. I like to put it over with some laughter. It’s a lot better if they are smiliing as well as staring, wondering how I did it.”

He is also in regular contact with Damien James, the magician who inspired him to take up the craft in the first place.