A SUMMER season of ghost walks starts this week in Richmond, where a stroll through the town is enlivened by scary stories of plague victims, Arthur and his knights and the legend of the disappearing drummer boy.

Amateur actress Rhoda Fraser will lead the hour-long walks dressed as Frances I'Anson - made famous in the song The Lass of Richmond Hill.

Town manger Colin Grant, who helped to devise the walks with sponsorship from Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative, said: "We have one or two places in Richmond that are definitely haunted. The walk is based on folklore and legend but there is a lot of historical content."

The walks, which start from the Turf Hotel at 6.30pm, will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for eight weeks. They cost £2, £1 for under-16s and £5 for families. Details from (01748) 825835.