TICKETS to see Paul Daniels perform in five villages are selling fast.

Within hours of confirmation that the North-East born magician will tour villages in Teesdale, County Durham, tickets were being snapped up.

Helen Thistlethwaite, marketing officer for the Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, said: "We got the posters printed on Friday and we've been sticking them up all round the villages and Barnard Castle."

Despite many halls not having had time to publicise the performances, there has already been a dash for tickets.

Mickleton Village Hall, where Mr Daniels will also perform a matinee show for children, sold nearly a quarter of its ticket allocation within 24 hours.

Village hall chairman David Hutchinson, who has been selling tickets from the petrol station he runs, said: "We do get some quite big acts here, but this is a big one for us all right."

Nick Wilson, at Butterknowle Village Hall, said: "There's been a lot of interest and we haven't really done any publicity yet."

Mr Daniels will perform at Mickleton, Bowes and Butterknowle village halls, at Toft Hill and Etherley Community Centre, and Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, between June 25 and July 3.

For details, call Miss Thistlethwaite on (01833) 696650 or visit www.teesdalehalls.co.uk.