CREEPY characters were spotted by terrified shoppers as Middlebrook welcomed the scary season with its Halloween Hauntings event.

Children and adults donned their finest and most frightening costumes at the retail hub on Sunday, portraying witches, zombies and all manner of bloodied beings.

The family fun day featured the cursed castle in the mall with visitors braving the mysteries that lay within.

The craft workshops allowed youngsters to make their own goodie bags filled with tricks or treats.

And there was also a chance for families to visit a magical wizard and get some glitter tattoos.

There were prizes for the first, second and third places in the best costume contest.

Robert Hallworth, centre manager at Middlebrook, said the day was a success, with the centre full of both dressed-up children and adults enjoying themselves.

He said: “We had our very own castle inside the mall so children got to go inside and some of them did get a little bit scared. It was a brilliant day and everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun. Everyone really got into the spirit of things.

“It was strange because it was not just the children but the adults dressed up as well. They were just as scary.” He added that the park was packed during the day.

He said: “It was very busy. It is always busy around October. It is usually one of our best times of the year along with Christmas.”

For further information on future events at Middlebrook Retail And Leisure Park, go to middlebrook-bolton.co.uk