HISTORIC Smithills Hall is not just the favourite haunt of heritage lovers -- it is also reputedly home to a host of ghosts.

And soon, for the first time, visitors will be able to enjoy themed ghost evenings examining the Grade One-listed building's spookier side.

Parts of the popular tourist attraction date back to the 14th Century and its colourful and occasionally grisly history has left it with a haunting legacy.

Spectres are said to include George Marsh, the 16th Century preacher who was convicted at Smithills Hall on charges of heresy and Victorian servant girl Tilly Houghton who was killed after falling downstairs when she caught her beloved in bed with a barmaid.

Ghost tours will last until midnight, giving braver visitors the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in some of the rooms said to be haunted.

Elizabeth Tatman, one of the directors of Smithills Hall and Park Trust, said: "We have had some inquiries from people whether we held these sort of events, and this is in response to demand. If the idea is successful we will repeat it.

"These nights will have a light-hearted approach. We are not setting out to frighten people."

The ghost evenings are being held on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31. The cost is £12.50 per head, including refreshments, with a maximum number of 20. For booking information contact Smithills Hall on 01204 332377.

TOP FIVE SMITHILLS SPOOKS

1. George Marsh: Deane-born preacher George Marsh's objections to Queen Mary's religious views led to him being tried at Smithills Hall and burnt at the stake in 1554.

Angry at his sentence, he is said to have stamped so hard that a footprint was left in the stone floor. The footprint is still visible today and is said sometimes to fill with blood. Marsh's ghost has reportedly been seen walking through the upper part of the house.

2. The Grey Lady: Believed to be Isabella Ainsworth, a former mistress of the house, who used to train some of the deprived young girls of the area to become maids. Her ghost, dressed in grey, has appeared several times in the past four years -- including once in a photograph by Leigh insurance agent Allan Ridyard. Her ghost is said to be mainly visible to young people and generous women.

3. Tilly Houghton: Strange markings of a woman's face are reputedly visible in a flagstone in a Victorian section of the house. They are said to be of Tilly Houghton, a serving girl whose unrequited love for fellow servant Donald Ramsay is said to have caused her death.

She fell headlong down the stairs after catching him in bed with a barmaid. But no blood was found on the flags where she landed -- just the strange markings. Her ghostly figure has been seen at the foot of the stairs by visitors and staff.

4. Unidentified ghost: A figure wrapped in a long coat has been seen walking through the walls of the Smithills chapel into the Withdrawing Room and through its panelling.

5. Richard Ainsworth's Cat: The cat, belonging to Richard Ainsworth who inherited the house in 1870, fell to its death through an upper window. Buried in the grounds of the hall, it is said it still wanders the hall, rubbing up against the shins of visitors.