GHOST hunters were out in force on Hallowe'en to investigate some spooky goings-on in the Observer patch.
But not everyone was well-behaved, with police reporting a high number of calls regarding trick or treaters on Tuesday night.
At Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hatfield Heath, a group of daring spectre seekers, including reporter Eleanor Scotchbrook, were on the paranormal trail.
During the evening, psychic Ryan Saunders claimed to have harnessed spiritual energy to communicate with the dead, including a cleaner called Elizabeth, an Edward King and a woman in the cellar.
The 20-year-old has carried out ghostly investigations at Down Hall several times and said it is buzzing with paranormal energy.
Staff and guests have also reported numerous encounters with spooks, including sightings of children and other mysterious bumps in the night.
Eleanor said: "Whether you're a believer or not, there was definitely a very strange vibe about the place, especially down in the cellar where a few of us felt giddy and sick when we were trying to connect with the spirits, which was really weird."
At First Choice travel agents in Bishop's Stortford, brave staff faced their fears by taking part in a supernatural sleepover.
Armed with a camcorder, the travel agents spent the night trying to catch on film the spirit that has apparently been haunting the building in Market Square for years.
Several members of staff have reported feeling a presence. However, the biggest mystery is a sealed room in the attic that cannot be accessed.
Assistant manager Claire Barton said: "A window cleaner told us that years and years ago, a millionaire's wife was held hostage in that room and that's why it's been sealed off, but no-one really knows for sure."
Meanwhile, local police were kept busy dealing with youths out across the area playing trick or treat.
Between 6pm and 1am, Essex Police received 520 emergency calls and a further 700 non-emergency, with officers responding to a massive 926 incidents - a 300 per cent increase on a normal weekday evening.
Herts Constabulary reported a busier night than usual, but said high visibility patrols meant there were no "significant" incidents.
Its control room received 483 emergency calls between 3pm and midnight, and 1,164 non-emergency calls, mostly relating to anti-social behaviour.
scotchbrooke@hertsessexnews.co.uk
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