BLOOD-CURDLING events from a medieval manor house's dark past are coming back to haunt modern-day visitors this week.

Crook Hall, a 13th Century building set in grounds overlooking the River Wear, at Sidegate, Durham, is marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a ghost week.

Owners Keith and Maggie Bell have opened their home to visitors in recent years, and more than a few have told of ghostly apparitions when stories of the resident White Lady's tours of the hall are related.

The Bells have dubbed the coming week Ghostly Goings-on at Crook Hall, with events to appeal to all visitors, but particularly the younger age groups.

Ghost tours are being staged next Sunday, while there will be ghostly treasure hunts on a daily basis.

There will also be children's ghost story readings, fancy dress and picture competitions, plus face painting.

All activities are part of the normal entry charge.

Although initially sceptical, Mrs Bell says she is now convinced there must be something in the haunted history of the hall.

"I've not seen it, but we supposedly have the White Lady, who has often been sighted down the years," she said.

"From what I'm told, she was the niece of former owner Cuthbert Billingham, who inherited the hall in 1615.

"We don't know if she lived here or merely visited, but she's said to have been very pale - ghosts often are - but very beautiful."

Anyone keen to hear Crook Hall's supernatural stories can visit daily, from 1pm to 5pm, excluding Saturday. Ghost stories are read at 2pm and 3.30pm in the Jacobean room, with fancy dress competitions in the courtyard, at 3pm.