GHOST hunters' spirits have been lifted after the owner of a suspected haunted former pub stepped in to help their efforts to raise cash for charity.

Fundraiser Julie Proudfoot and fellow paranormal enthusiasts were refused permission to investigate the ghostly goings-on at Cockfield Workingmen's Club, Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, after its committee raised health and safety concerns.

After learning of Mrs Proudfoot's disappointment, Dave Cassie, who owns the former Marquis of Granby pub, in Byers Green, near Spennymoor, got in touch and the charity ghost hunt is back on.

Mrs Proudfoot, from Cockfield, went along for an initial look over the building – now renamed Thomas Wright House, after the famous astronomer from Byers Green – and was delighted with what she saw.

“It's a fantastic building. I love it, it is every ghost hunter's dream and nobody has been in it and done this sort of thing before,” she said.

“We did catch a bit of activity while we were there in the day.”

Mr Cassie, director of Byers Green-based The Cares Group, said he had taken possession of the former pub about 15 years ago.

Since then, it has been used as offices and as the base for small businesses, but is currently empty.

He is planning to join the ghost hunters during their visit and is looking forward to what they might discover.

“I genuinely have an open mind about these things. Other people in the village have commented about things they have seen or heard – the building has got a bit of a reputation.

“I have been in there loads and never felt them to be evil spirits.”

But he added: “When there was conversion work going on a few years ago, one of the guys was removing a wall and revealed the fireplace of an old cottage.

“He saw a woman step out of the fireplace, ran out of the place and never came back.”

The charity ghost hunt will take place next week and Mrs Proudfoot said up to 20 enthusiasts would take part.

Money raised from the event will be split between Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and The Oaks Secondary School, in Spennymoor.