AN ILLUSIONIST has found a “magical” remedy for his pet dog’s illness — using special pet food from a Harwood firm.

Richard De Vere’s dog, Schnorbitz, is the fourth-generation descendent of the original Schnorbitz owned by entertainer Bernie Winters.

And now, the dog is enjoying a new lease of life after switching to food made by Heights Farm Pet foods.

Mr De Vere, who grew up in Bolton and now lives near Blackpool, said his dog has enjoyed a health revival and the entertainer has now agreed a sponsorship deal with the firm.

He said: “Schnorbitz suffered various arthritic problems.

“His health is much better and he’s a much happier dog.”

Explaining his pet dog’s link to Bernie Winters, Mr De Vere said: “I lived with Bernie Winters and his wife for a year and they became my “showbusiness step-parents”.

“When Bernie died I was left with Schnorbitz. Now my older dog is the fourth generation of Schnorbitz while the puppy, Schnorbaby, is the fifth generation. He was born in January.”

Mr De Vere has links to Bolton’s Holt hosiery mill family and his grandfather was Bolton MP Arthur Holt.

He said: “I didn’t want to spend my life in thermal knickers so decided to go into showbusiness.”

Mr De Vere attended Canon Slade School and his parents, Chris and Christine, still live in Bolton.

Since becoming an illusionist he has performed shows at Blackpool Pleasure Beach for 21 years and appeared in pantomimes at the Theatre Royal in St Helens for the last 13 years. He has also performed in Las Vegas and Zimbabwe.

Heights Farm Pet Foods was founded in 2009 after owner Stephen Ward’s 11-stone French Mastiff dog, Milo, suffered poor health while eating foods containing wheat and inappropriate animal derivatives.

Mr Ward said: “Milo was intolerant to additives and ingredients associated with many supermarket brands. He would scratch himself until he bled, chew his paws and often had a unsettled stomach.

“After expensive tests and prescribed steroids, we discovered he needed a hypoallergenic-based food. These types of food were costly but made the world of difference to his health. We found a specialist manufacturer to commission our own cat and dog food. Richard recently came to us about his giant St Bernard's and we were delighted to help.”