Halloween Has Been 'Cancelled' In Britain's Most Haunted Village

Pluckley residents are fed up of being invaded by hundreds of ghost-hunting revellers, causing vandalism and traffic chaos. The village is said to have at least 12 spectres, including a highwayman, a phantom monk, the hanging body of a schoolmaster and a poltergeist in the local pub. In previous years residents of the sedate Kent hamlet have tried to turn the night of expected disturbance into family fun, set up by the parish council's own Halloween committee. But although the festivities raised thousands of pounds for good causes the uproar caused by hundreds of revellers flocking to the village has alarmed locals. Now Halloween has been banned and the parish council has called in police to keep visitors under control. "There will be no entertainment provided for visitors," said a notice on the Parish Council website.The Black Horse pub is said to be the haunt of a mischievous poltergeist."There will be no barbecue, no hog roast, no beer tent, no fun fair and there will be no ghost tours. In fact, unless you are coming for a quiet drink, may we suggest you visit one of the many other attractions in Kent for Halloween." Parish council clerk Jackie Grebby said previous organised events had caused problems. "When we've tried to lay on something before it has backfired. The whole village has been gridlocked," she said. "There is in fact very little to do in Pluckley apart from have a quiet drink. People are very welcome if they just want to come for a quiet drink." Residents have been advised to keep their gates locked and any outside lights turned on until at least 2am in the morning to deter troublemakers.