THE mystic powers of asparagus are in no doubt after it was used to predict that Britain would have a hung parliament.

Asparamancer Jemima Packington made the forecast last year – and previously foretold the demise of Gordon Brown. She said: “My ability to read asparagus happened by chance when I was young. I was eating some with my family when it fell on the floor and I just came out with these predictions. “Everybody took a sharp intake of breath. My parents knew my auntie read tea leaves and it must have passed to me.”

Miss Packington usually makes her predictions by throwing asparagus spears in the air and analysing how they land. However, back in December she had to use asparagus sausages because the vegetable was out of season. Using the new season’s asparagus – which gives a more precise reading – Miss Packington is predicting a honeymoon period for the new government with disagreements preventing New Labour from regrouping, England to suffer an early World Cup exit in the midst of scandal, a boost for British tourism with ongoing air traffic disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano and a scorching summer. She will be conducting readings at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton, on Monday, May 31.

Jemima Packington is pictured with some asparagus, which she uses to predict events.