SPOOKED staff at a busy nightspot have forced bosses to call in a ghostbuster after a series of poltergeist-type pranks.

Several of the 70-plus staff at the Utopia disco, in Blackburn town centre, have got into blazing rows over who will man the 'bubbles' bar after the eerie presence started interfering with them.

Now owners First Leisure have agreed to enlist the help of Burnley-based psychic consultant and investigator Bill Hoffman to settle the dispute.

Sales manager Michaela Chesney-Moran said the spirit is believed to date back to the time when the former Cavendish Club on the sight was badly damaged in a blaze.

She added: "We think it may have been disturbed again by the recent refurbishment work at the club, which has included building a new wall.

"It's possible the spirit is trapped behind the wall and has started banging to express its anger."

Incidents which have been noted since the former Peppermint Place club's £1million refit and rename earlier this year, include.

Dancers refusing to use changing rooms after complaints of a cold, eerie presence.

A barmaid hurting herself after a fall over apparently nothing.

Usually tough cellar men working in pairs when the club is empty and

Staff threatening to quit if they are placed on the bubbles bar.

Michaela added: "We simply had to do something about this and that is why we decided to call in the psychic investigator.

"Hopefully he will get to the bottom of this once and for all and perform some kind of exorcis."

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