Strange Tales in Bradford Dale is published by Gizmo priced £7.99

WHAT exactly is a boggart and why is one of them languishing in Bradford Beck?

Who are the ghoulish theatre spirits and are they as friendly as they appear? Why does Royalty paddled in the park, and what is the secret behind the Celtic carved head?

All is revealed in a new book delving into the hidden folklore of Bradford and its colourful history.

Strange Tales in Bradford Dale is the second of writer Irene Lofthouse's Strange Tales series aimed at young readers.

The first, called Strange Tales in the Dales, unearthed a secret world of spooks and strange souls who have populated rural legends for centuries. In a series of gripping short stories, Irene gave us a headless horseman, living gargoyles and a tormented slave-keeper inspired by a real house near Hawes where a man involved in the slave trade was said to have kept slaves in the cellar.

The book ended with a teaser of Irene’s story The Boar’s Severed Head, the full version of which appears in her follow-up, Strange Tales in Bradford Dale. Irene re-tells and re-imagines Bradford myths, legends and stories in an entertaining collection of mysteries, with an original tale or two inspired by the city's history.

Readers aged seven to 12 are invited to travel with Darren and Chel as they try to escape from a phantom carriage and its grisly driver; find out if Ranulf and Aleycia kill the last wild ravaging boar of Bradford; and discover whether or not a trio of friends manage to unravel the sphinxes' riddle before sunset. There are stories about the statues on City Hall, Bradford Beck and the city's mills, historic Undercliffe Cemetery, the mounting blocks along Harrogate Road, Ravenscliffe and Calverley Woods, and spooky goings-on at Bradford Playhouse.

Irene did some readings from the book at library events for the Family Learning Festival, and says the response was enthusiastic from both parents and youngsters.

As with the first book, this one is beautifully illustrated by Clare Lindley, who studied graphic design at Bradford College.

Irene has tapped into that primal urge we seem to have to be spooked. And that includes children.

“They love local myths and legends, and it gets them thinking about history too,” says Irene. “I discovered that with legends like the Boar of Bradford, nothing has been written for children. The Boar is part of Bradford’s coat of arms, yet it’s a story people know little about. When I tell youngsters the story they love it.

“I ask them to think about writing their own stories; it helps to boost literacy levels and and develops oracy and conversation skills."

A writer, actor and director, Irene advises creative organisations and works with libraries on story walks, focusing on local history, landscapes and buildings.

She's a firm believer in reading stories aloud and often performs stories in costume, using props and accents to "tell it rather than just reading it".

Her latest book is perfect for spooky stories this Christmas - read out loud by candlelight, preferably.

* Strange Tales in Bradford Dale is available from gizmo.co.uk

Emma Clayton