Express & Star

Ghoul times had by all over Halloween - in pictures

It's been a spooktacular Halloween for boy and ghouls of all ages in the beastly Black Country this year.

Published
Anya Sharma aged 7, left and Alice Lovelle, 5 enjoying the spooky day at the Ancient High House, Greengate Street, Stafford

Zombies invaded a shopping centre in Walsall, terrified thrill-seekers took part in a ghostly walk around Bridgnorth, and Frankenstein startled visitors in West Bromwich.

Events took place all across the region to celebrate the spooky annual holiday on October 31.

A total of 1,200 people braved a zombie apocalypse in Saddlers Shopping Centre in Walsall on Tuesday this week - in a battle against spiders, ghosts and the living dead.

Families found themselves in a zombie wasteland and were given blasters ready to take down the pop-up targets.

Adults and children were also entertained with face-painting, games, and a Halloween disco, as well as having the chance to win on-the-spot prizes.

Melvin Glasby, the centre manager, said, "We are delighted to be able to continue providing top-rate free activities for families.

"Our vision going forward is to make Saddlers Shopping Centre the hub of the community in Walsall and, over the Christmas period, we have a lot more community partnerships and initiatives to help us achieve this goal."

West Bromwich's Oak House Museum also organised a Halloween fun day on the same day so families could enjoy the creepy celebrations.

More than 800 people attended dressed up in their best - and scariest costume. There was 'sorcery' by Ron Popple, monstrous music from Andy Casserley and face painting and glitter tattoos from Brushstrokes and Glitters as well as some Halloween inspired trails and quizzes.

Part of an extensive list of things to do for Halloween, the museum is continuing this week with more themed events.

Visitors can expect the fun to continue in the next few days with Pumpkin Carving, Halloween Creepy Craft Day and Frankenstein at Oak House.

The old house itself has its own haunting story, possessing a haunted bedroom.

In Bridgnorth, near Wolverhampton, a ghostly walk was organised in the dark to take place through the town. Ghoulish characters were stationed at various points of the walk in a bid to scare passers-by.

And at Ancient High House in Stafford, youngsters enjoyed colouring in scary skull-shaped masks and other craft events as part of the house's 'spooky day'.

The haunted Billy Wright pub in Wolverhampton went all out this year.

Holding a fancy dress day, more than 100 people attended to enjoy Halloween-inspired cocktails.

There were also life-sized models of the stars from horror film classics such as Freddie Krueger and Pennywise the clown dotted about the bar.