There will be ghouls and ghosts walking the streets of mid Cheshire next week as part of Hallowe'en celebrations but are there really supernatural goings on in the area?

While children are enjoying dressing up in bone chilling costumes the occupants of two famous buildings are surrounded by more sinister circumstances.

Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club, in Whitegate, and Blakemere Craft Centre are both believed to be haunted but is it simply imaginations getting out of control?

The golf club is haunted by the ghost of Ida Goodman, a nun said to have been buried under the abbey's high altar after having tended to the needs of a sickly abbot.

In recent years her shadowy face, surrounded by dark hair or a cowl, has been sighted at a window of the lavishly refurbished Great House.

Nils Elrin, spokesman for the golf club, said: "The building is old and steeped in history and there have been unusual events, including sightings of Ida.

"Our club house stands on the site of an ancient monument and so there are many stories if you delve into the past."

Vale Royal Abbey was founded in 1283 and was larger than Westminster Abbey.

It was pulled down in the 16th century and the stones and timber from the abbey were used to create the existing Great House.

The Great House, which was refurbished in 1998, as part of a £250,000 investment in the club.

Nils is now asking for anyone who has information on the history of the building to get in touch and throw some light on the ghostly apparitions.

He said: "It makes a great talking point for people at the club and we would love to hear from anyone who has stories about the abbey."

Staff at Blakemere Craft Centre have decided to call in a spiritualist medium to get to the bottom of supernatural activity.

Penny Barber, who is a spirit rescue, was asked to investigate part of the old courtyard area called The Gallery, after people working in the shops heard strange noises.

Ginny Brookes, from the craft centre, said: "Over the past few years there have been several reports of unusual noises such as banging sounds and unexplained noises in the stairwell.

"Some people have heard the sound of horses on the cobbles when there was nothing there and there has been a sighting of a man in a top hat walking past one of the windows.

"We asked Penny to walk around the area and see if she could explain what was happening."

Penny, who lives in Hartford, visited The Gallery two weeks ago and communicated with several spirits who were present in the top of The Gallery.

She said: "My first encounter was with the spirit of a child who was a bit scared, hungry and depressed.

"He was sat on the steps linking two offices on the first floor.

"As he recognised I could see him a lot of other children came close and I feel as though they were poorly treated.

"As I walked up a couple of steps I noticed there was a couple who had fallen in love and were having a secret tryst.

"As I moved along to examine the end of the office where the ceiling is lower I saw two gentlemen - one with a wound to his heart and the other standing over him and his name was Harry."

Penny believes her work is vital to bring peace to the spirits.

She said: "In my final walk round the office I met a chap named James who was a bit of a jack the lad who said he was suffering from boredom.

"The wonderful thing is that you can negotiate with these spirits - you can find out what their fears are and find out who they will trust in the spirit world so they will come for them.

"I told James that I would help him and as I was leaving the upper office I met the child again and he was so happy because he knew I would help him to move on."

l If you have experienced any ghostly apparitions or believe your home or place of work is haunted contact Philip Hennessey on 01606 813623.