A BINGO caller with more than a few tricks up his sleeve is hoping his patter could win him a dream trip to Las Vegas - and the chance to marry his long-term girlfriend.

Magician Andy Tate, 28, has been a huge hit with punters at Testo's bingo club in Consett, since he started eight months ago.

His winning formula of mixing jokes and magic tricks with calling the numbers has clinched him a place in the Northern regional final of the Bingo Caller of the Year contest, taking place in Manchester on September 26.

If he beats off competition from four other hopefuls, he will move through to the national finals. The winner of that will get a trip to the US and the chance to call a game of bingo in a Las Vegas casino.

For Mr Tate, the star prize is the chance to tie the knot in style with his long-term partner, Catherine Telford. The pair live in Leadgate with their three sons.

"It is a little side bet between me and wor lass," he joked. "We have always wanted to get married, but cannot afford to do it properly. This trip would be the ideal opportunity."

A former circus clown, he became a bingo caller by chance. "I came to the club in my last job as a salesman, to try and sell them some artificial plants," he said.

"They didn't want any, but three days later I was working here."

It is a case of coming full circle. "I got started in magic because of the bingo," he said.

"I won £600 playing bingo a while back. With the winnings I went straight to Blackpool and bought an outfit and some tricks.

"The aim of using it here is for fun, really. The regulars love it."

Dorothy Telford, the club manager, said: "Although Andy has only been calling for a short while, he has been a natural from day one.

"He is totally at ease with the customers and is a great entertainer who is always willing to learn. He is a very popular and caring young man."