A WHITE rabbit which was banned from appearing in public as part of a magic act has won a reprieve.

Sapphire the rabbit was banned from appearing in Newcastle after the city council sent letters to entertainers telling them animals were not to be used in shows at local authority premises.

But now the authority has admitted it was wrong and has apologised.

The U-turn came after it admitted last week that an employee had been wrong to ban a Punch and Judy show from a children's event.

For the past two years, magicians performing in libraries across the city have had to explain to disappointed children why the trademark trick was missing from their acts.

Now the council has admitted the decision was an ''over-reaction''.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "We do not have a ban on the use of well-cared for animals which are an integral part of some magic shows.

''We introduced a policy banning animals in circus shows in 1988 out of concern for their welfare.

''Unfortunately, following complaints from the public, staff misunderstood the policy and sent out letters to magicians saying animals were not allowed in magic shows.

''This was an over-reaction and we apologise to magicians who may have been affected.''

Entertainer Martin Duffy said: ''The whole show builds up to the climax of the rabbit appearing. The kids expect it.

''I had to rewrite the act and so I told the children 'There was an old witch who looked down from her castle and she saw that the children were enjoying themselves and so she got the rabbit banned'.

''Afterwards, the parents would ask me if it was true and I had to say yes.

''I had to explain it in a light-hearted way, which also expressed my anger.''

Mr Duffy, known as Martin the Magician, said Sapphire enjoyed performing and was cared for as a pet at his home in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland.

The 41-year-old entertainer, who is president of the Newcastle Magic Circle, stressed Sapphire was well treated during the act and that the trick did not involve any discomfort for the animal.

His friend, Derek Carpenter, also known as Bo the Clown, was told by a council employee he must not perform the Punch and Judy part of his act at a children's event sponsored by the local authority because it encouraged domestic violence.

A local authority spokesman later admitted the employee was wrong and had "overstepped the mark".