Halloween is approaching and with that comes the chance for families to get involved in fun-filled activities, including pumpkin picking.

We have selected one popular venue in Bolton to go pumpkin picking and some others in the wider area if you would like to venture further afield...

Smithills Open Farm, Bolton

Head over to a spookily decorated Smithills Open Farm for their "pumpkin picking extravaganza" from October 19. As well as pumpkin picking, visitors can enjoy a spooky sweet hunt and a children's fancy dress competition.

Tickets are priced at £6 per pumpkin via their website and the farm is pram-friendly.

Smithills will also be hosting a spooky fright night on Saturday, October 26.

For £15 per person, visitors can expect haunted tractor rides, a spooky woodland walk, zombie barns, werewolf woods and supper - but they warn that this ghoulish tour is not for the faint-hearted.

Jersey Girls - Higher Woodhill Farm, Bury

Dig out your wellies for pumpkin picking at the Jersey Girls Dairy Ice Cream parlour from October 19.

After choosing your pumpkin from a variety of shapes, sizes and shades, you will be able to carve your "spooktacular" masterpiece at the pumpkin carving station and avoid making a mess at home!

You will not be left hungry with savoury goods, Jersey Girls ice cream and seasonal specials all available.

Tickets are available via the Jersey Girls website and are priced at £10 per pumpkin.

Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Blackburn

Browse through a sprawling three acres of homegrown pumpkins, "quirky characters" and carnival games at the picture-perfect Mrs Dowsons Farm Park in Blackburn.

Each ticket includes one standard-sized pumpkin but visitors are also able to purchase homegrown favourites from the patch, with a dozen imported varieties of the winter squashes on offer to gather from the ground.

Tickets for adults include farm admission plus one pumpkin for £10.95 and £12.95 for one child’s admission plus a pumpkin. They are available to order on the farm's website.

Cockfields Farm Park, Oldham

Visitors are encouraged to go along in fancy dress when exploring the thousands of pumpkins available at Cockfields Farm Park in Oldham.

Tickets also include a venture to their "Haunted Hayride", spooky disco and Halloween games with reptile meets and the farm’s usual animal favourites.

Tickets for the pumpkin patch are available online for £16.95 per person and £5 for under ones - with all tickets including a pumpkin.

The farm will also host a midweek mini pumpkin patch throughout October so that toddlers and babies can join in on the Halloween fun with an additional indoor patch and plenty of photo opportunities.

Gordon Rigg Garden Centre, Rochdale

Don't let the rain stop you from finding your perfect pumpkin and head to the indoor patch at the Gordon Rigg Garden Centre in Rochdale - you don’t need to book ahead and the prices range from £3.99 to £7.99.