Mind reading, mystery and even more magic are heading for the North East later this spring, courtesy of the newly extended line up for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival 2011.

Organisers of the week-long festival, which returns for its eighth year from Monday, March 10, have announced that another three acts are to be added to the already bumper line-up, with Colin McLeod, Jon Stetson and Amethyst all set to perform live.

Scottish entertainer Colin McLeod has been described by mind reader and spoon-bender Uri Geller as “one of the greatest thought readers of all time” and has already performed all over the world, including at the famed Magic Castle in Los Angles and the acclaimed convention of mentalists and magicians, MindVention, in Las Vegas.

The 23 year old forensic science graduate will be making his first visit to South Tyneside to perform as part at the Magic Festival, which is organised annually by South Tyneside Council with help from Martin Duffy, former President of the Newcastle Magic Circle and sponsors MagicBox.

Fellow mind-reader and master of the seemingly impossible Jon Stetson will be travelling from America to appear at the festival, with UK-based magic duo Amethyst – consultants for BBC shows Sherlock Homes and The Magicians – being the third new act to be added.

These three new additions will form part of a varied line up for the 2011 festival, which will see a range of magicians and illusionists from around the world performing live in a series of Gala Shows at the Customs House theatre, South Shields on March 11 and March 12.

The acclaimed performers will also be taking part in a specialist three-day magic convention, which is open exclusively to practicing magicians and the most dedicated magic fans and offers masterclasses, lectures and question and answer sessions at various venues in South Tyneside from Friday, March 11 2011.

Other highlights for the week-long magic festival include a Family Magic show sponsored by MagicBox, which will see tricks for all ages performed by leading magicians from Newcastle’s Magic Circle – one of the oldest and most successful magical societies in the UK - at the Customs House on Wednesday, March 9.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member Culture and Wellbeing for South Tyneside Council said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Festival has been a popular event for more than seven years and this is undoubtedly one of the best line-ups we’ve ever had. The addition of Jon Stetson, Colin McLeod and Amethyst has given us an even bigger boost and helped ensure that 2011 really is going to be a magical year.”

Tickets for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival are on sale now. More details can be found online at www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. Gala Show and Family Magic Tickets can also be booked by calling the Customs House direct on 0191 454 1234. South Tyneside International Magic Festival takes place Friday 11th - Sunday 13th March 2011.