SPOOKY whisperings and blood-curdling screams are used by sound mimicker Simon Entwistle to animate a new ghost trail in the Ribble Valley.

Clitheroe man Simon, whose talent has been used on TV and radio, has turned ghosthunter in and around Clitheroe town centre by devising a walk which goes through the ages, starting from 1173. The spectral stroll visits sites where ghost are supposed to haunt, taking customers to pubs, graveyards and even hairdressers!

The high pitch scream of a man being murdered and the creaking of an old man's bones in a graveyard are just two of the haunting sound effects used by Simon, who dresses in Victorian costume.

Clitheroe Ladies Circle took the spectre stroll and heard spooky tales, including the horrific murder of a man outside Key Street pub and the death of a young servant, who broke her neck after slipping on cobbles.

Simon, who researched for months to find true stories of ghost sightings in the town, said: "I use my talent to put sound effects in the walk and make it more exciting."

The walks officially start at Easter and take place every Wednesday and Sundays from Clitheroe Castle gates at 8pm. Simon can be reached on 01200 426821.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.