A TEAM of ghosthunters descended on a charity shop following reports of spooky goings on.

Staff at the British Heart Foundation shop in Sheep Street, Bicester, claimed to have heard whispers, seen a strange mist and even arrived at the store to find things had moved.

The unusual incidents prompted the Ghostfinder Paranormal Society (GPS) to investigate.

Lead investigator Phil Measey, 42, who lives in Bicester, said: “A lot of people were saying the shop was haunted and had lots of weird things happening.

“People who work there said they had experienced child-like behaviour, chairs being moved, or when they go home all the lights are off, but when they come back the lights are on.

“They said there was a strange mist on the top floor, which isn’t used, and people have had whispers in their ears. It warranted an investigation.”

GPS researchers discovered the building was originally a confectionery shop and bakery and a family including two children had lived above it.

One of the children was believed to be a girl called Sicily or Celia, who died of tuberculosis in the 1800s.

Ghosthunters from Chipping Norton and Oxford took part in a seven-hour vigil at the shop until 3am on Sunday, October 25.

On the night, some of the group claimed their clothing was pulled and they heard talking.

Father-of-two Mr Measey said: “We threw objects into dark rooms and stuff was thrown back at us, which was one of the best things of the night.”

Mr Measey, manager of discount shop Winners, in Victoria Road, Bicester, has been interested in the paranormal since he was a child.

He spent about 18 months training to be an investigator and now leads a team of six visiting haunted buildings across the country.

He said: “I grew up in a haunted house in Long Crendon and I grew up with really strange things happening.

“I don’t get scared very much — I’m more intrigued to find out why these people are staying.”

Tina Hudson, the assistant manager at the shop, said: “It was really good. There was definitely something here. I was standing against the wall and something definitely pulled my top.”

The GPS team now plans to investigate two town pubs – The White Hart and The Hobgoblin, which are also both in Sheep Street.