Spirits of the non-alcoholic kind were found when a group of ghost hunters visited an Oxford pub.

The Ghost UK team spent Saturday night (February 8) at the White Hart pub in St Andrew's Lane, Old Headington.

Heidi Graham led the investigation, during which ghost hunters with no knowledge of the pub's history were taken around the building.

Minidisc players and camcorders were set up in rooms, which were then sealed and left to see if paranormal activity could be recorded.

Investigators said most spiritual activity could be detected near the door of the pub's wine room. The spot is where a spiral staircase stood from which a young woman named Roslyn is said to have hanged herself in the 15th century, after being rejected by a lover.

Members reported feeling sick and experiencing neck pain in the room.

Michael Burden, an investigator, said a spirit named Bill was felt to be hanging around in the cellar and ghosts of a little boy and girl could also be sensed running around upstairs.

Maria Pigg, pub manageress said: "It was very interesting, they found a few spirits upstairs and downstairs."

The team, including Oxford-based founder David Vee, were amused by pranksters in white sheets who ran around the churchyard opposite the pub, after reading about the visit in Saturday's Oxford Mail.

For a full report on the White Hart investigation, visit Ghosts UK's website at www.bowersandvee.co.uk