Memories of an Essex Ghosthunter - Wesley Downes

WESLEY Downes has spent 60 years as a psychic investigator, checking out ghost sightings around Essex. Now,to coincide with Halloween last week, he has written a book about his experiences. Memories of an Essex Ghosthunter (�8.99, Countryside Books) is fi

WESLEY Downes has spent 60 years as a psychic investigator, checking out ghost sightings around Essex.

Now,to coincide with Halloween last week, he has written a book about his experiences.

Memories of an Essex Ghosthunter (�8.99, Countryside Books) is filled with unexplained happenings and stories.

Wesley saw his first ghost in 1946 when he spotted an old school friend walking towards him in a village near Colchester.

He later discovered the friend had died in the D-Day landings.

The book tells the story of a retired Chelmsford policeman-turned-exorcist, who was called in to get rid of a poltergeist when his neighbours came back from their Bonfire Night celebrations to find their front door open and water pouring through the ceiling. The furniture was damaged and crockery smashed.

When they called in a plumber he was unable to stem the flow of water even though all the stopcocks were turned off.

Other chapters outline strange happenings at Basildon - a floating monk - Harlow, Clacton and Frinton.

The ghosts, which haunt the White Hart pub in Brentwood, are also mentioned.

- LINDSAY JONES