GHOSTLY ghouls, wicked witches, spooky spectres, warts, hair and old crones were out to be seen and to scare yesterday (Wednesday) for Hallowe'en.

Little 'goblins' at Wonderland Kindergarten, Waterloo Road, Ashton, had a howling Hallowe'en fancy dress party where all sorts of treats were 'werewolfed' down during the day-long feast of fun.

The six freakiest costumes won prizes although manager Joanne Farnworth admitted all the children looked fantastic. "Especially the baby skeleton and pumpkin," Joanne added.

And the SPAR store on Sandringham Road, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, celebrated with spot prizes throughout the day and scary face painting between 4pm and 5.30pm ahead of wine tasting -- for adults only -- between 5pm and 7pm, and a free prize draw to win a mountain bike.

Meanwhile tiny tots at Small Wonders Nursery, Hawkins Street, Preston, combined the fifth anniversary celebration with a Hallowe'en fancy dress party.

Nursery manager Louise Allen said: "We had pumpkins, devils and witches running round -- by the end of the day they were all shattered."

Staff at Museum of Lancashire, in Stanley Street, Preston, enjoyed their annual brush with the other side by unveiling a display of grizzly artefacts including old brooms and spell making potions in their Witchcraft exhibition.

The displays on show include artefacts from the world's only Museum of Witchcraft, in Cornwall, plus objects used by modern day witches.

Various viewpoints were examined including the possibility of links with ancient pagan religion, the role of modern 'Wicca' and witches in the media.

Witchcraft is a co-operation between Lancashire County Museums and the Lancashire Witch Project Group with support from the National Lottery Awards for All.