GHOSTS and ghouls bring a spine-tingling thrill to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, with exciting half term Halloween activities on offer from Monday, October 28, to Sunday, November 3.

Hosted by the Canal & River Trust charity, the special themed week will feature a range of extra attractions from ghost hunts, boat trips and spooky storytelling to pumpkin hunts and fancy dress competitions.

The fun starts on weekdays, Monday – Friday, when visitors can enjoy ghost tours, hourly boat rides (11am – 2pm), a Halloween bingo trail with treats and colouring activities, with free treats for all dogs in fancy dress.

The spookiness then hots up for the special Halloween Weekend, with family ghost tours, a Halloween fancy dress competition for both adults and kids at 1pm, themed craft activities, bingo, boat trips, face painting, children’s ghost hunt and Spooky Storytime (12noon and 2pm).

And for the ultimate in spine-tingling tales, grown-ups are invited to join a special evening Ghost Walk around the old wharfs and waterways on Thursday 31 October and Friday 1 November. Visitors will hear chilling stories of times gone by, collected from personal accounts and local legends, embellished with special effects. The hour-long tour, which costs £15, will be followed by a warming bowl of pumpkin (or tomato) soup and refreshments in the café.

Canal & River Trust destination and attraction manager, Ani Sutton, said:

“A hauntingly good time awaits visitors who go hunting for ghosts in the shadows of these historic old buildings at the junction of the Shropshire Union Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal. Join us, if you dare, to have fun and track down ghostly figures hidden around our wonderful old boats and fascinating waterways museum site.”

Adult tickets cost £12.95, with discounts for children, seniors and families. Most Halloween activities are included in the price, although there is an extra charge of £5 for boat trips.

To reserve advance £15 tickets for the dark night Ghost Walks or find out more about visiting, check out the Canal & River Trust website: canalrivertrust.org.uk/nwm  or call 0151 3555017.