ONE of Bolton's most historic buildings is looking for ghost hunters keen on a spooky experience.

Smithills Hall is running one of its popular Ghost Evenings on Tuesday - with a chilling time on offer.

Elizabeth Tatman, a director of Smithills Trust, will guide visitors around the building, which was originally owned by the Knights Hospitallers in the late 12th and early 13th century.

The original wooden beams, stone floors and impressive carved dark oak panelling add to the ghostly atmosphere.

Then there is the room where the 16th century preacher, the Rev George Marsh of Deane, was interviewed by local magistrate Robert Barton before being burned to death at Chester.

The temperature regularly drops in this chilly chamber.

Visitors on the ghostly tour, which starts at 8.30pm and finishes at midnight, claim to have seen figures and heard the sound of children playing.

There is certainly a famous footprint in the stone floor, said to have been made by poor George Marsh as he was taken away.

And there have been other physical occurrences in Colonel Ainsworth's Green Room, which dates back to the 19th century, where glasses on the table mysteriously move.

The evening includes a walk around the outside of the hall, a guided tour of the inside, with the opportunity to spend time in some of the rooms, and refreshments and buffet.

Tickets are £12.50 each, available from the Hall on Smithills Dean Road, or by calling 01204-332377.