OXFORD Castle has been putting on a series of spooky tours to get locals and tourists in the Halloween spirit. 

Now in its 12th year, 'Ghost Fest' - which has run from October 22 - shows the ancient venue embracing its bloody past with a series of spine-chilling events.

The castle’s history is filled with murder, battle and execution, so there's plenty of material for tour guides to haunt visitors with.

Last night the Oxford Mail went along to see what all the spooky suspense was all about... 

Burford School's boarding department also came along, with the 11-14 year old children in make up worked up by budding artist Sarah Dixon-Hamilton, 14.

She said: "I've not been on one of these before - I don't know if I will be scared."

Oxford Mail:

Sister Danielle, 13, added: "There are only a few things that scare me [but] I am expecting a few jump scares." 

She was definitely right about that, with the children screaming and running by the end of the tour.

As wells as the 'Spooky Tour', the castle has hosted the return of parapsychologist Ciaràn O’Keeffe, trick or treating and a 'spooktacular potions' session. 

Last night's tour team, Marcus Knight-Adams, 22, Anna Samuels, 19, Katie Shepherd, 22, Rosa Thomas, 21, said: "It has been really fun - we have had a bunch of different people coming in.

Oxford Mail:

"We have had some tours where people have been really terrified - one woman refused to go into the crypt, we do make a few children cry.

People really react in different ways, one man was hysterically laughing throughout."

Miss Shepherd adds: "I was so excited to start - the energy of the crowd makes it such fun."

The quartet also lauded guest experience manager Rebecca Colmer's efforts. 

Explaining what the school was hoping the children would get out of the tour, Lynne Johnson, a tutor at the boarding house, said: "Part of this is that they have had money into the house charity [they are raising money for Oxford Children's Hospital and the Safe Dog Trust Trust] for coming.

"But this is just a bit of fun. We are coming out and celebrating Halloween."

Student Chi-Chi Onuha, 13, added: "I think that the place is haunted. We should get ghost busters in."

Places are still available for Spooky Tours running this evening - if you can hack it.