HALLOWE'EN drinkers at a pub in Pendle will be keeping an eye open for some ghostly goings on tonight after a mystery visitor from the past set nerves on edge.

There have been several sightings and strange noises at the Cross Gaits Inn, in Beverley Road, Blacko, in the past but since recent renovation work was completed three weeks ago, the landlady and regulars have reported an increase in the odd happenings.

Landlady Jane Smith, 36, said she was used to whistling in the bar and glasses dropping when no-one is near them but recently she had felt a new presence.

She said: "We have done renovation work on the pub which included unblocking the chimney of an old fireplace in the kitchen. It seems that in so doing we have provided access for a kindly spirit from the past.

"At first we felt a strange presence in the kitchen and then late one night as I was locking up the bar I glimpsed a hooded figure sitting in the corner. I only saw it briefly and although it was strange I wasn't frightened. Since then a few regulars have also felt a presence in the pub."

The current pub has been there since 1750 but Jane believes there has been some sort of pub on the site for a lot longer. She said: "I have twice seen an old lady standing at the bar who was dressed in quite modern fashion and one of the customers has seen another lady. People tend to be more fascinated than frightened. There have been a few strange noises in the bar that you can't quite put your finger on and I think one of my dogs has sensed something. But she was wagging her tail so it can't be anything bad.

"I heard a voice one night which I thought was the barmaid but she was in the car park. Since the renovation work it's as if someone is watching us, not in a horrible way but just as if another person is there with us."

According to local tales, the Benedictine monk Dom Bernardo Vincelli once wandered the area looking for a resting place. His namesake liqueur was brought back to Lancashire from France by the East Lancashire 12th Battalion after drinking Bene 'n' Hot in the trenches in World War Two.

Jane said: "With it being Hallowe'en, we're glad to have a sympathetic spirit in residence watching over our drinkers. Because of the historical connection between Benedictine and Lancashire, it wouldn't surprise me if it did turn out to be Dom Bernardo Vincelli."