Haunting evening at county hotel

Spooky goings-on at a Shropshire hotel are set to go under the spotlight when a group of ghosthunters book themselves in.

A paranormal investigation will be carried out at The Old Rectory Hotel, in Wem, after staff and guests experienced peculiar goings-on.

Legend has it that during its previous incarnation as a rectory, a nanny employed to look after the rector's children hanged herself on the top floor of the building. It is said that the children loved her so much that they died shortly afterwards, supposedly of broken hearts.

Children have been heard laughing by several members of staff, objects have been heard being thrown around and an apparition of a man has been seen on several occasions on the stairs leading to the kitchen.

A childlike scrawl was found on the wall in one of the bedrooms. Upon being cleaned off, it re-appeared shortly afterwards.

Wem is already well known in the paranormal community due to a famous photograph taken in 1995 as the town hall burned to the ground.

It appears to show a young girl standing in the flames. Some people believe it to be the ghost of Jane Churm, a girl supposedly responsible for a fire at Wem Town Hall in 1677.

People are being invited to take part on June 26. Tickets are £55 each for the event only or £99 each including bed and breakfast.

For more information contact Eerie Evenings on (01543) 278075 or visit www.eerie-evenings.com