Magician tests smoking ban

A MAGICIAN who has vowed to flout Scotland's smoking ban at this year's Fringe tested the law to the limit as he launched his show.

Pete Firman, the star of Channel 4's magic show Dirty Tricks, is planning to perform the trick which involves smoking a whole pack of lit cigarettes, before swallowing them one by one.

The magician gave a preview of the performance where he stood with one foot inside and one foot outside the Underbelly venue in a bid to test the ban.

He said: "I don't have a problem with the idea of a smoking ban, but I find it ridiculous that performers like myself are prohibited from lighting up on stage as part of their act."