Comedy hypnotist overturns decades-old ban on mesmerism

Robert Temple challenged Hypnotism Act in order to allow Bolton comedy show to go on

It was put in place more than 70 years ago to protect citizens from the dark arts" but now an old-fashioned law banning hypnosis and mesmerism has been overturned by a comedy hypnotist - and he did it without putting anyone under.

Robert Temple was due to perform his show Red Raw, described as improvised comedy under the influence of hypnosis", to an audience of hundreds at Bolton's Albert Halls on Saturday.