GHOST hunters spent a spooky night in one of the country's most haunted hotels to raise money for charity.

The spirits were in a mischievous mood during the fright night at the Schooner Hotel, in Alnmouth, Northumberland, on Saturday.

The event was organised by Ghost Haunted North-East, a group of paranormal investigators, and Inspired of Spirit, a group that runs a spiritual website.

About 40 people from the region braced themselves for an evening of ghostly goings-on at the hotel, which has featured on Living TV's popular Most Haunted programme.

Joanne Hawkins, from Middlesbrough, marketing manager for Ghost Haunted, said: "We went there looking for ghosts and it was a very active night.

"There were a lot of things going on that people experienced, but couldn't explain.

"There were people having their hair pulled and people having the backs of their heads slapped - the spirits were in a funny mood.

"There were also shadows seen by numerous members and when team leaders went to check, there was nobody there."

A number of seances were held in the hotel cellar, kitchen, bedrooms and corridors.

Participants were sponsored to stay in the hotel and, together with donations, raised £1,244 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

An auction of signed celebrity photographs, including Rowan Atkinson, David and Victoria Beckham, Bobby Robson and Emmerdale actress Claire King, added a further £145 to the total.

Accounts of the spooky stay can be found on the Internet, at www.ghosthaunted.co.uk or www.inspiredofspirit.com