IT IS said to be haunted by 20 ghosts - but a lack of doors had ghost hunters of television's Most Haunted heading for the exit at Ye Olde Man and Scythe.

Researchers from the show popped down to the pub, on Churchgate, Bolton, with a view to filming a forthcoming programme there.

But, despite being impressed with the pub, respresent-atives from Living TV, which commissions the show, told landlord John Jewitt that the pub was not suitable for recording because it does not have doors on the haunted rooms.

It is not all bad news for the pub has had another visit from a television crew, this time from Granada. The Manchester-based ITV station is featuring Ye Olde Man and Scythe in an eight part series of Go North-West, a programme about the best attractions in the region.

The pub will feature alongside Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe, also on Churchgate, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship in Ramsbottom and the Irwell Trail in Bury.

Mr Jewitt and his wife Jaycee dressed in Elizabethan costume for filming for the show, which will be screened next June.

Jaycee, aged 44, said: "It would have been nice to have Most Haunted here but it's their tough luck. Being a hidden gem certainly makes up for it though."

A psychic evening held at the in September, reportedly found 25 spirits.

The Seventh Earl of Derby, James Stanley, was seen in the museum room, a corner of the pub which houses memorabilia relating to the Earl and The Massacre of Bolton. It is alleged that the Earl spent the last three hours of his life there before he was beheaded in 1651 outside the pub.

Ye Olde Man and Scythe is reputed to be Britain's fourth oldest pub, a feature of the town since 1251 and extensively rebuilt in 1636 - and is alleged to be home to a girl called Jenny and the infamous Earl.

Mr Jewitt, aged 65, said: "The ghosts look after the place and as long as everyone is happy they are quiet. If someone is causing trouble then they cause trouble."

The filming by Granada yesterday coincided with the Jewitt's opening their shop next door, Ye Olde Wench & Trinkets, which includes a specialist corner for clairvoyants.