Government plans to regulate professional mediums are set to reignite a centuries-old debate over the legitmacy of the psychic trade.

Up until now genuine mediums have been protected by the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act, under which prosecutors had to prove fraud and dishonest intent to secure a criminal conviction.

But if new Consumer Protection Regulations are passed in Parliament on May 6, the onus will be passed to the psychics themselves to prove they have not intended to mislead in suspected fraud cases.

Top clairvoyant Yvette Tamara, based in Somerfield Road, Maidstone, said the business was in need of regulation, but was worried the new laws could cause more problems.

“Clairvoyants have been sued all over the country where they have done predictions and they haven’t come true” she said.

“It’s got out of hand and become quite a headache.”

Mrs Tamara, who set up the British Association of Professional Clairvoyants in 1985 said the roots of the problem were twofold; stemming from a rising number of bogus traders and people’s tendency to accept predictions on face value.

She added: “Anyone can put an advert in the paper; it’s got so out of hand that people are getting sued.

“The way I look at it is I can predict your future but it’s your choice at the end of the day.”

Controlling a trade which is built on people’s faith is inevitably going to be a difficult task for Trading Standards.

Mrs Tamara said she and fellow clairvoyants were worried officials were unlikely to have much understanding of their trade.

Mrs Tamara added: “They haven’t got a clue how it should work; it is going to cause other problems.”