CELEBRITY medium James Byrne today hit back at East Lancashire clergy who have branded psychic performers as "emotionally, spiritually and mentally damaging."

Hyndburn clergymen have asked the borough council not to include his show in the entertainment programme in future and have questioned the council's support of paranormal performances.

They claim they have had to counsel members of their congregation who have attended psychic events.

But Mr Byrne said he had been presenting shows for 25 years and there was not a shred of evidence that what he did was harmful.

He said: "When you are on stage you are not going to please everybody but my shows are always very harmonious.

"It's the people who matter most and people should never be denied the right to choose what they see.

"I have performed three or four times in Oswaldtwistle and the shows have been very successful.

"If I was told that I could not go there any more I would consider suing these clergymen.

"Spiritualism is a legal religion in this country and to try to ban it is discrimination."

Mr Byrne, 43, has appeared on television programmes like Esther, Kilroy, The James Whale Show and It's Bizarre with Linda Lusardi.

He has taken his show "Psychic Experience" to venues across the country including the London Palladium.

He became involved in spiritualism when he was 15 and said he has often faced criticism from clergymen.

He added: "I was brought up a Christian, but it's always the same.

"Vicars are saying don't judge other people, but they are often hypocritical.

"It says in the Bible that people have gifts of laying on of hands and vision, and mediums have the gift of vision."

The issue is due to be discussed by Hyndburn Council's leisure services committee tomorrow.

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