A BOLTON woman who claims her life became a nightmare after she was hypnotised during a stage show has won legal aid to fight for compensation. Lynn Howarth says she underwent a personality change and almost crashed her car in two desperate suicide bids because of the mental torment. Ironically it was Lynn, 35, who booked hypnotist, Phil Daemon from Great Harwood, for the Bolton event almost two years ago.

She claims the show changed her from a bubbly, fun-loving mum of seven children to a withdrawn, emotional wreck.

From playing sport, enjoying outings with her family and running a youth club, Lynn says she became a recluse in her home at Inverbeg Drive, Breightmet.

She suffered crippling headaches, tunnel vision, depression, dizzy spells and panic attacks.

But her major regret is the way she treated her family. "I put the family through hell," she said.

Lynn says husband Brian, 37, helped her through the nightmare. "He was brilliant. I don't think any other man could have put up with what he did," she said.

Twice Lynn attempted to kill herself by running her car into a tree, but swerved at the last second, and finally she realised something had to be done.

Now after regular hypnotherapy sessions with Derek Crussell at the South London Hypnotherapy Centre, Lynn feels much better but added: "I am still not the person I was before."

Lynn says she was persuaded to take part in the hypnotism act because of a lack of volunteers.

While she was under the hypnotic influence she had to "chase fairies", was convinced that she was unable to touch doors because she got "electric shocks", and would feel "hot and then cold".

"After the show I thought I was going mad. I couldn't understand why I felt as I did." Lynn insists it is not the compensation she is concerned about.

"If I was told that I could have compensation or I could have hypnotism banned, then I would ask for hypnotism to be banned.

"I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through. People think hypnotism is a bit of fun, but it is very dangerous."

She is one of four people fighting for compensation. Three are under the guidance of Hertfordshire solicitors, Martin Smith and Co.

"The worst point in my life before the hypnotism show was when my father died, but even that does not compare to the feelings I have had since I was hypnotised," said Lynn.

Hypnotist Phil Daemon said: "I think it would be prudent of me to keep quiet at this stage if legal action is being taken."

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