VISITORS to one of the region's top attractions are promised a truly spooky time later this month - including a visit to the cell where Dick Turpin spent his last night.

During Halloween week they will get the chance to see a different side to York's famed Castle Museum.

Torch-bearing guides will take them through the dimly-lit galleries each evening to give an insight into the more spooky exhibits on show.

And they will also be shedding new light on the museum's previous use - as an 18th Century prison.

Visitors will find out more about the history of mourning and get to look at a Victorian coffin.

They will see where the condemned were led to be hanged, a passage which has never been opened to the public before, and hear the story of Dick Turpin in the cell where he spent his last night.

Senior guide Josephine Martin said: "This is not a ghost walk, but will give visitors a different perspective on the museum and will be a little bit more spooky than one of our usual tours."

The tours run from tomorrow until November 2, from 6.45pm until 8.45pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for concessions.

For details of other Halloween activities at the museum, contact (01904) 687687.

Published: 24/10/2003