CHARITY ghosts hunters are to investigate spooky goings-on at a country pub.

Sue Scott, of Spooks for Animals, has organised the sponsored overnight stay at the Dog and Gun pub and restaurant, in Potto, where staff have experienced and seen things they cannot explain.

Miss Scott has always been interested in the paranormal and has also worked for several animal charities, including the Blue Cross at Thirsk and the Dogs Trust.

"The aim of the event is to raise as much money as possible for animal charities and to give the participants a chance to investigate a haunted location," she said.

"There have been many ghostly occurrences at the pub and we will be doing experiments using an infrared thermometer and electrical magnetic frequency meter to see if we can find anything paranormal and record it."

The Dog and Gun dates back many years and what is now the pub's restaurant used to be three houses and a barn.

During the past six years, owners Jo and John Proud have experienced strange happenings.

Items are regularly moved and Mrs Proud and some of the staff have felt someone brush past, and even been tapped on the shoulder.

Records have verified that two children died when they fell from the old hayloft. It is believed to be their spirits which move objects around.

"They seem to take great pleasure in disturbing the restaurant," said Mrs Proud, "Many of the staff, while setting up tables with cutlery and napkins, have found that they have been moved about by the unseen children playing."

Mrs Proud has also had two particularly frightening experiences involving a man in a hat and pin-striped suit.

She has had to leave the pub after feeling quite distressed on seeing him - but on returning things have felt all right again.

However, most sightings are of a man who emerges from the door at the bottom of the stairs to the living quarters.