A BINGO caller with more than a few tricks up his sleeve is hoping his patter could win him a trip to Las Vegas - and his dream wedding.

Magician Andy Tate, 28, has been a huge hit with players at Testo's bingo club in Consett, County Durham, 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 the four other hopefuls, he could be in the running for a trip to the US as winner of the national finals, and the chance to call a game in a Las Vegas casino.

For Mr Tate the star prize is the chance to tie the knot in style with his partner, Catherine Telford. The pair live in Leadgate, near Consett, with their three sons. "We have always wanted to get married, but cannot afford to do it properly," he said. "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 to sell them some artificial plants," he said.

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

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 a very popular and caring young man."