For decades Uri Geller, the man famous for allegedly bending cutlery with his mind on UK television, was mocked over his claims to have paranormal powers.

But while the British public were always sceptical it has transpired that none other than the CIA believed the "spoonbender" was psychic all along.

In an extraordinary series of declassified documents the agency revealed the results of a week of experiments it conducted on Geller over eight days in 1973, during which he was tested for "clairvoyant" or "telepathic" abilities.

It was part of the "Stargate" programme which was aimed at weaponising what the CIA called "remote viewing," and trying to recruit "psychic warriors".