Zapping for 'elec-trickery' man

An Australian man performs a sparkling stunt with half a million volts of electricity.

Being electrocuted isn't everyone's idea of fun.

But for Peter Terren he creates spectacular stunts in his garden, describing his hobby as 'elec-trickery'.

The doctor by day, conducts around half a million volts of electricity at a time.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMATEUR SCIENTIST, PETER TERREN, SAYING:

"It is very dangerous. The base of the Tesla coil is completely lethal. The big sparks are going to be incapacitating - may well be lethal as well."

Terren builds his coils from discarded material, and he's had 50 years of practice.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMATEUR SCIENTIST, PETER TERREN, SAYING:

"This all started when I was a child. I built my first radio at the age of 12 and I've sort of gradually built up from there."

His family don't stop him from playing with electricity.

But they don't like it when his electrical performance interferes with the TV.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.