WITH Halloween on the horizon, a new book has lifted the lid on spooky goings on in Crow Country. Paranormal Hertfordshire, written by Royston-based ghost hunter Damien O Dell, details encounters with the ghostly and unexplained across the county. Mr O De

WITH Halloween on the horizon, a new book has lifted the lid on spooky goings on in Crow Country.

Paranormal Hertfordshire, written by Royston-based ghost hunter Damien O'Dell, details encounters with the ghostly and unexplained across the county.

Mr O'Dell said: "Researching it [the book] has been an unforgettable, thoroughly enjoyable journey of discovery.

"In the course of this research I have learned a great deal about a diverse range of subjects which I gladly share with the reader.

"They include the county's stately homes and its celebrated, famous residents as well as its highwaymen, villages, pubs, churches and hotels," he said.

Amongst the places named in the book is Henrick's Hairdressers, which has featured on several television programmes in recent years, including Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns. Staff at the salon have witnessed a range of strange occurrences, including a mirror flying off the wall and smashing into pieces.

The Fox and Duck pub in Therfield is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former landlord, who has in the past switched lights on and off and rattled bottles behind the bar.

Landlady Kirsty Porter said: "Thankfully I've never seen anything myself, although the regulars are always winding me up about it.

"I'm quite open-minded about that sort of thing, but we must be doing ok with the pub because he hasn't bothered us at all.

"There are a few other places in the village which are supposed to be haunted. A lady has been seen in the upstairs window of one of the houses, even though it was empty at the time," she said.

An apparition of a lady has also been spotted in the offices of Curwens solicitors in the High Street. The upstairs Tudor room is also said to be unnaturally cold.

Receptionist Janet Kessler said: "It's certainly very spooky up there. I'm often here early in the morning or late at night and I'm pleased to say I've never seen a ghost, although I do believe in that sort of thing," she said.

*Paranormal Hertfordshire is available from Amberley Publishing, priced at �12.99.