A TEAM of “ghostbusters” are coming out of retirement to investigate claims of paranormal activity.

Paranormal investigator Dean Maynard agreed to spend a night in Durham’s Victorian Market Hall after resident psychic Mari Barton said she sensed a mysterious presence around her market stall.

Mr Maynard said: “We’re literally coming out of retirement to investigate Durham Market Hall, a site in the heart of Durham with a long and varied history. This is a special invitation from Mari and Durham Markets, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we might discover.”

The Victorian Market Hall is built on the site of New Place, the former palace and gardens owned by the Earls of Westmoreland in the Middle Ages, and has been the scene of many ghostly sightings over the years.

Colin Wilkes, Managing Director of Durham Market Hall, hopes that the upcoming investigation will shed some light on the series of spiritual encounters.

He said: “Whilst there have been suggestions of sightings in the building, this is the first paranormal investigation of the site. The site has an intriguing history, and the building itself is certainly fascinating, so we’re all curious to find out if we’re not the only ones here.”

The results of the private investigation will be made available after the event.