Pester him all you like, magician Adrian Fox will never reveal if his tricks really are magic, sleight of hand or just a trick of the eye.

If you really keep pressing him, he's got enough magician friends to defend his side.

In fact he's got a whole society of them to back him up.

Adrian is the president of the Southend Sorcerers' Society, a club devoted to the art of magic and its enthusiasts.

When magicians Ken Hoskins and Ron McMillan met in their local pub and started talking about magic, they never realised their shared interest would lead to the formation of a society which marks its 30th anniversary next year.

Adrian says: "It all started when they got together in the pub to have a bit of a lark.

"They started taking it a little bit more seriously and more and more people came along, so they thought let's make a formal club'."

Southend Sorcerers' Society now meets on the first Sunday of every month at Saxon Hall, Aviation Way, Southend.

Membership has fluctuated during the three decades, but now stands at a healthy figure.

"There are lots of little magic clubs round the UK - it just goes to show that magic is popular," says Adrian.

"This club started out with just a few people, then went up to 20.

"We could have held meetings in a phone box at one time, but now we have 35 to 40 members.

"One of the good things about joining the magic club is you meet people of the same mind as you."

The club appeals to anyone from pre-teen tricksters to those who have been pulling hankies from hats for 20 years.

Youngsters can start from 12 years old and once they reach 16, become senior members.

"We are probably one of the only clubs which lets the youngsters mix with the seniors. We think they will learn more then," says Adrian, presenter of the weekend breakfast show on radio station Dream 107.

It was as a ten-year-old that Adrian had his first encounter with magic and believes this is how many become hooked on the art.

"It's one of those things. Most kids have an uncle who does a magic trick every now and again for them, or they get bought a magic set and the next logical step is for them to go and join a club and meet more people.

"When I was small my parents bought me a magic set, so I was interested when I was ten years old, but like most kids you tend to drift away from it."

It was while at work that Adrian's mind turned back to magic.

"I kind of drifted back into it when I interviewed Paul Daniels. He was very helpful and very kind and it sparked my interest again," he remembers.

"It doesn't matter how famous these magicians are, they will always sit down and talk to you about magic."

Adrian, from Shoebury, has been practising for 12 years. It's a hobby which rarely becomes boring.

"One of the great things about it is there's always something new to learn and when you know how the trick is done you're not interested in the secret, you're more interested in how it's presented," he adds.

To help the society's members hone their skills, the club has regular lectures from visiting magicians while always swapping tips at the monthly meets.

Adrian says: "We do all sorts of things. We have visiting lecturers, club nights where people can come along and show each other bits and pieces and competitions for close-up and stage magic."

Explaining the difference in the two styles, Adrian adds: "Close-up magic is usually done at a dinner table and it's really up under the spectator's nose.

"They see exactly what's happening and they get to take part in the magic a lot more. Stage magic is a lot bigger, it's designed to entertain a lot of people at the same time. The illusion is a lot more outgoing."

Members will also show off their skills at shows, with all magicians performing for free and money going to charity.

"It's an opportunity for us to practice in front of real people," says Adrian.

If people think this hobby is only for show-offs they'd be wrong.

Adrian says: "A lot of people take up magic as a way of improving their confidence.

"It's a lot like being an actor when you become a magician - you've got something to hide behind."

For more information on Southend Sorcerers' Club call Adrian on 07711 982890.