A Thanet woman says she has spent the last 20 years communicating with the dead - but her husband still doesn't believe in her work.

Tracey Todd has carried out hundreds of readings as she helps grieving communicate with relatives who have passed away.

The 42-year-old, of Victoria Avenue, Westgate, first discovered her ability after joining a spiritualist church at the age of 22.

She said: "I lost a lot of people in my teenage years, so I went along and one of the mediums there said they were going to start up their own circle.

"That's how it started, with no real idea whether I could do it or not. It took me six months before anyone actually said 'yes' to me when I gave them a reading."

According to Tracey, a medium is somebody who is able to communicate with spirits and lost loved ones.

She said: "We try to prove that there is life after death and that their family is still around to give them guidance and help as much as they possibly can."

When working as a medium, she said the act of communicating with spirits can differ depending on the person she is trying to reach.

She said: "I start feeling things in my body and start feeling how the person passed over, sometimes I see spirits and sometimes I don't.

"I know whether they're male or female, I might feel my hair change, I might get slimmer or I might get bigger.

"And then I might start hearing, I don't hear voices but I have thoughts pop in my head.

"Occasionally there's a really special message coming through, I might get the words of a song and I interpret that into the reading."

Having spent two decades practising as a medium and psychic, Tracey has come across her fair share of people who doubt her talents.

Her own husband does not believe in the practices, but Tracey said he is still supportive of her regardless of his differing views.

After offering up her services to people in the community for many years, she decided to start a medium and psychic development class for budding newcomers.

The sessions have been going for the past year, and vary in size week to week.

Tracey said: "I'm not here to push what we do down people's throats but if they want to come along, then that's fine."

The classes take place on Mondays at the Westgate United Services Club.

Attendees can get involved for £8 per evening, with the sessions lasting two hours.

During the lessons, Tracey encourages her pupils to open up and relax so they are able to discover their abilities.

The clairvoyant said: "I start off by giving an inspiring talk about confidence, that sort of thing.

"The meditation is just about letting go of any troubles from the day, then we work from there."

When asked if she could do an impromptu reading, the Tracey said she likes to book her subjects well in advance so she can prepare.

She said: "I like to feel ready."

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