Deep in the heart of historic Leicester, the cries of a child can be heard reverberating through the rooms of a medieval house.
The spooky noise is just one of a number of ghosts and strange goings on witnessed at Wygston's House museum, in Applegate.
For the first time, the building is opening its doors to thrill-seekers and ghost hunters next Friday.
Lee Gilbert, a medium and parapsychologist who works for Leicester City Council, will be charged with leading the first group of ghost hunters.
He said: "Although we know a fair amount of the history of the house, there is still a lot more to be discovered. I am very excited about getting to grips with the new venue."
As part of his nocturnal researches, Lee has already found strong evidence of paranormal activity.
On one occasion, as Lee and fellow researchers entered the building, the dull thud of furniture being moved could be heard upstairs.
Lee said: "We went up to check, but nothing seemed out of position.
"As soon as we came down, the noises started up again.
"We hurried straight back up and found a chair had been put on top of one of the tables. We have a lot of evidence to suggest that there are strong links to the paranormal and I am sure it will be a great venue."
One of the stories linked to the house is of a member of staff who went in search of a crying child.
It is said the woman found a tearful boy kneeling at the top of the stairs.
The boy, dressed in Edwardian knickerbockers and a waistcoat, looked down through the banisters right at her.
But as she went upstairs, he slowly faded away, leaving nothing but his eyes floating in the air - staring.
Other sightings include the figure of a monk stood halfway up the stairs and heavy, oak chairs moving of their own accord.
More than once, the sound of a ball bouncing down the stairs has been heard and vacuum cleaners have been unplugged during morning cleaning sessions - and always when staff are on their own.
Wygston's House, built around the 15th century, is the best-preserved medieval house in Leicester. It is thought that three-times mayor of Leicester Roger Wygston may have lived there.
A spokesman for Leicester City Council said the decision to open up another historic building had been an easy one.
He said: "Leicester is reputed to be one of the UK's most haunted cities.
"From the Old Town to the Haymarket, the Town Hall through to The Lanes, Leicester has had more than 100 reported ghost sightings."
Tickets for the Wygston's House museum ghost night, which runs from 7pm to 2am, cost £40. Book on 0116 253 2569.作者: lulu 时间: 2008-2-4 00:06