A BOLTON mum who claimed she was turned into a suicidal zombie by a stage hypnotist has called for such showmen to be banned.

She won High Court damages after claiming that the show she attended reawakened memories of sexual abuse when she was a child, and triggered a depressive illness which culminated in her twice attempting suicide by driving her car towards a tree.

Her fight to show she was damaged by stage hypnotism took five years, and got her an award of £6,500 - which she is unlikely to receive because the entertainer, Phil Damon, hasn't the money to pay.

I feel a bit for the woman, but she didn't need to volunteer to take part.

One of the funniest shows I have ever seen involved hypnotist, Martin St James, who starred at Leigh's top nightspot, The Garrick, in its heydey.

I knew two of the volunteers who went under so it made it even funnier for me. The suggestions didn't do them any harm, but they certainly did the audience a lot of good. The place was in uproar. However, I was too much of a coward to volunteer myself. I haven't the confidence to intentionally show myself up in public. Anyone who feels the same should avoid such performances.