TALES OF TERROR: Visitors to a historic hall can take a guided walk with a grave digger while listening to stories of superstitions from Tudor times.

Guests at Ford Green Hall, in Smallthorne, will also be challenged to identify, while blindfolded, gory body parts from the grave digger's coffin.

Gargoyles Rocksy and Granit will also be doing their best to scare visitors as they pass through the hall in the gloom. The event is part of the Hall's Halloween activities.

A museum spokesman said: "This is an opportunity for people to see Ford Green Hall in an unusual way and perhaps feel the presence of its past inhabitants from the last 400 years. Visitors will need nerves of steel."

Guests are encouraged to come along in fancy dress to add to the seasonal spirit that is on offer with flickering candles and cobwebs. Visitors will also be able to take part in a Graveyard Trail and receive a small prize. Walks will take place on Sunday, November 1, between 1pm and 4pm.

GET IN THE SPIRIT: Ghosts and ghouls will descend on an historic railway this weekend.

Churnet Valley Railway is hosting its annual Halloween event on Saturday. Passengers will be invited to climb aboard the railway's Halloween ghost trains departing from Cheddleton as well as Kingsley and Froghall stations.

Railway spokesman Nigel Shaw said: "Passengers and staff always have a great deal of fun at our Halloween event and we will have plenty to scare and delight visitors of all ages. You do not have to dress up but most people usually do and it all adds to a great atmosphere and a memorable, if not frightening night."

The decorated ghost trains depart from both stations throughout the evening and the round trip takes one hour and 10 minutes.

Tickets cost £12 for adults £12, seniors £10 and children £7. For more details, call 01538 360522.

SPOOKY WALK: Fitness enthusiasts have been dared to take part in a night-time Halloween walk.

The gauntlet has been thrown down by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, which has organised a trek around Tittesworth Reservoir, near Leek, on Thursday.

With only a head torch for light, hikers will walk through woodland and fields from Tittesworth Visitor Centre to the old fishing lake where they will tell ghost stories.

The free walk will take place between 6.30pm and 8pm. Walkers can meet at the visitor centre.

In Cheadle, a pumpkin parade will be taking place on Saturday. The event has been organised by Cheadle's Business Group and starts at Greyhound Walk at 5.45pm. There will also be a fancy dress competition and best carved pumpkin contest.