A ghost of a chance

3:00pm Sunday 18th November 2007

Could you spend the night in a haunted hall?

If you have nerves of steel, Diabetes UK has the challenge for you - a sponsored all-night ghost hunt' at Bradford's historic Bolling Hall.

The event will include a ghost tour and the chance to go searching for spooks around the hall.

The event takes in the hall's notorious Blue Room' where visitors have described a feeling of being watched and claim to have seen a man in long coat-tails near the fireplace.

David McIlroy, Bolling Hall's visitor services supervisor, said he has seen ghosts in the building. "Various members of staff have reported quite a few sightings of different things," he said. "I have seen the ghost of Caroline Wood, a former owner of the hall, as have some members of the public."

Bolling Hall has appeared on Living TV's Most Haunted.

During the Civil War it was a Royalist base and in 1643 the Earl of Newcastle - a Royalist who threatened to attack Bradford if the city did not withdraw its support for Oliver Cromwell's uprising - stayed there. While sleeping in a bedroom in the hall, the Earl is said to have been visited by a ghost of the White Lady who uttered the words "Pity poor Bradford." It frightened the Earl so much that he spared Bradford serious damage.

The paranormal fundraiser has been organised by Diabetes UK as part of a series of events around the country.

"The money raised by events such as Fright Night' is the lifeblood of the organisation," said a Diabetes UK spokesman. "People can join our paranormal investigators and clairvoyant mediums and take part in activities throughout the night. This fun night is suggested only for the brave!"

The Fright Night' is at Bolling Hall on Saturday, November 24, from 9pm to 5am. The entry fee is £40 and tea and coffee is included.

For more information contact Jeff Breen at Diabetes UK on (01325) 488606 or e-mail jeff.breen@diabetes. org.uk.