SPIRITUALISTS will attempt to make contact with the "other side" tonight in the belief that Friday the 13th will allow them to make contact.

A number of clairvoyants, mediums and psychics will spend the night in Farnworth Spritualist Church.

The spiritualists are hoping two ghosts spotted in the building, which is a former funeral directors premises, over the last few weeks will be encouraged to meet them.

Sue Daubney, who has been a medium for 13 years, said: "Not long ago, I felt something sitting on my knee while I was painting and decorating the church. Through my clairvoyant skills I could identify him.

"It was obvious he was from the Victorian era from the way he was dressed.

"He had dark hair, a shirt with no collar, dark trousers and he was about five foot seven. I want to meet him again."

The social services employee looked through census records dating back to 1881 and noticed the Entwistle family lived on the premises.

She said she cross-referenced the names to pictures and spotted a familiar face.

A few weeks after her investigations, church secretary Dorothy Marland spotted another ghostly figure dressed as a fireman.

And now the pair are hoping to see them and will be joined in the vigil from 10pm to 8am by fellow spiritualists, age from 14 to 65.

Mrs Daubney, aged 40, said: "Friday the 13th seemed as good a night as any, although the spirits can choose to come out at any time.

"You have to learn self-discipline as a medium. It's my job to establish contact but if they become pushy and demand to be heard all the time, it can make you ill."