A North East man will open a haunted 'coal mine' in his back garden to spread trick or treating joy this Halloween.

Jonathan Taylor, 26, from Seaham, who usually works as a land driller, will be transforming his house into a spooky coal and gold mine on Monday, 31 October to entertain hundreds of residents.

The former creative media student, who specialised in light, sound and effects at university, will be turning out in a 'hillbilly' persona to greet ghoulish guests at the residence in Westlea.

Mr Taylor said he has been doing these events since he was 18, but it has now become an annual undertaking which he feels he has to improve on each year.

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He said: "Everyone was like 'I can't wait till next year', then I just thought I'll make it better and better.

"[It's] pretty much like a theatrical experience inside of a shed.

"I had a few people weeping a little bit [last time], and the adults absolutely love it.

"Some adults won't even come in because they think it's so scary, they'll send the kids in but they won't go."

Last year, Mr Taylor hosted a 'pirate's cove' event and estimates over 300 people attended, and in 2020 produced an interactve socially-distanced monster to hand people sweets in the pandemic.

He said if any children show signs of being scared, the experience will be promptly switched to an alternative less-scary version.

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Meanwhile, he expects his display this year to receive even more than that and has already stocked up on 28kg of sweets to prepare.

When talking about what inspired him to do this, Mr Taylor said he was a huge fan of shows put on by UK theme park, Alton Towers.

Adding to this, he said a charity bucket for the Alzheimer's Association will be available to anyone wishing to donate, and was included in memory of his grandfather who suffered with the condition.

"I know what the disease is like and it's a horrible thing for anyone to experience, it affects anyone's life who is involved in it" he added.

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When describing the experience, he said the event will utilise smart lighting, smoke machines, and sound effects.

Detailing the 'mine tour', he said guests will be guided through the mines by himself before an unexpected mishap derails the journey.

He said light effects will also be paired with various sounfd effects, with each individual sound effect corresponding to a different light effect. 

He said patrons will cue outside before receiving a safety briefing, and only eight will be allowed in at a time.

He says the event will sport the voicing talents of Seaham actor Graham Saxon, who has had roles in the BBC's Inspector George Gently and ITV's Vera, as well as another actor from California.

Mr Taylor is still finishing up his final preparations and plans to do his last rehearsal this Saturday.

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