20^TH November 1997

FINANCIAL TIMES

In a twist

Silver-tongued spoon-bender Uri Geller has fallen foul of the ever-so straight Advertising Standards Authority. It's ruled that an advert for Geller's Mindpower Kit - a tape, a book, an orange dot and a crystal "personally empowered" by the man himself - went a bit too far.

Never mind that the kit was offered to readers of Uri Geller's Encounters magazine, a publication aimed at those of a paranormal bent. The no-nonsense advertising watchdog reckons that the offending advert - "use its energy and the rest of my kit to explore the potential of your own mind," urges Geller - made unsubstantiated claims. Enough to make your hair curl.