The picturesque city of Lincoln is most well known for it's impressive history and character - the magnificent cathedral; the landmark of the county and recently voted number one wonder of the East Midlands, and the splendid castle grounds, where the Magna Carte is still held. Coming shortly in December is the hugely popular Christmas Market, one of the biggest in Europe, attracting around a quarter of a million to its three-day event. Over the years though has seen another attraction gain popularity and rave reviews while at the same time 'putting the wind up people' is Lincoln's ghost walk.

The walk, set in the castle square area and against the atmospheric backdrop of the cathedral, has been going for eight years now and is well acclaimed and recommended. It is very chilling and authentic unlike other ghost walks in other towns, which can consist of over-rehearsed, stilted monologues delivered by out of work actors making an easy bit of money.

The walk is well documented and publicised by the city's tourism information centre, and has featured on local radio and Central news. Tourists from far a field are eager and excited to hear all about Lincoln's spooky past and tales of the very sinister. Some Americans on the tour I was on were most enthusiastic and compelled ghosts still haunting pubs and hotels, and even feeling sadness for a lady wrongly accused and hanged for murder.

The organiser of the ghost walk is Margaret Green, who's been retelling tales for six years and she certainly is an authority on the hauntings of Lincolnshire. I met Mrs. Green before she entertained and scared more willing ghost hunters on the night before Halloween, to ask her a few questions.

I asked if people were genuinely scared by the ghost stories.
"I wouldn't say scared, more interested and intrigued." She told me dressed in her flowing black gown, really looking the part.
She went on to tell me of a lady from New Zealand who had joined her friend from Lincoln on the ghost walk and loved the experience. I asked her before starting the walk of her most famous or favourite ghost story.

"One of the more well known ghost stories comes from the hotel behind us, the White Hart hotel. There are said to be numerous ghosts there; there is mop-cap girl, the ginger jar ghost, a lady who tucks children into bed and then there's the sad room." She eerily told me, sending shivers through me. I'm certainly not staying in that establishment.
The ginger jar ghost is that of a small rounded gentleman seen in one of the third floor suites wearing a smoking jacket looking for his ginger jar. He appears wringing his hands pleading ' Please help me find my ginger jar'. The story is he once owned the hotel and occupied the suite of rooms, which he now haunts.

After speaking to Mrs. Green and being sufficiently scared, I joined other hardy and brave souls on the walk, starting by the cathedral and feeling the 'devil's wind' chill. We went on to hear stories of the headless drummer boy heard at the Territorial Army barracks, the ghost of Tom
Otter and strange goings and on and sightings in the Lincoln Castle. There were more strange happenings in the Magna Carte pub, the Wig and Mitre, the new landlord on his first day scared out of his wits by the 'grandma ghost'. One of the most haunted places in Lincoln, although maybe not so much is Blackhorse tavern on Eastgate. Just recently when repairs were being carried out there and all power turned off, the lighting came coming back on from an unknown source. Spiritualist work was then undergone here, leading to the exercising of 45 ghosts. Quite frightening you must admit.

The walk lasted an hour and a half and was told with great professionalism and authenticity. At this time of year it is more chilling and atmospheric. The tour included young children, fainthearted believers and some cynical sceptics, but it was difficult not to be gripped by some of the stories. All I wanted to do at the end of it was to sit in a warm public house, compose myself, relax, hoping not to be joined by any uninvited guests and hoping my glass would stay where it was.