Ever wanted to find out more about the spooky side of Ashby historical streets and buildings? Then there are two 'Ghost Walks' coming up in the town next month.

Haunted Heritage Paranormal Investigations is planning two events to uncover the supernatural side of Ashby.

The first is on September 1, with a second walk coming up on the 29th.

Michele Smith, Director and Co-owner of Haunted Heritage, gave us an idea of what to expect.

She said: "Ashby is a fascinating place, anyone who lives here will know about the reported ghostly goings on in the pubs.

"But we take tour guests out around the outside of the town and introduce them to some of the more sinister characters there, talking about witches, serial killers and exorcists.

"Whilst we pass by Ashby Castle, the guests do have the opportunity to do some real paranormal detective work and use a ghost hunting kit."

Haunted Heritage Paranormal Events has been in operation since April 1, 2011, and initially it came about when the museum Michele was working - Snibston Discovery Museum at Coalville - called on the staff to come up with ideas to raise much needed funds, preferably outside of normal opening hours.

They started with nine events in the first year and since then,  founders Gillian Hibbert and Michele have been approached to work with other museums and historical sites across the Midlands receiving several tourism awards along the way for supporting heritage sites and bringing night time tourism to Leicestershire.

They now operate over 100 events per year - this not being a 'normal' year of course.

Michele said: "Gill and I met under unusual circumstances, we both worked for the local authority, Gill in a Leisure Centre, myself in a Museum.

"Due to the management roles held, we were part of the Leicestershire Disaster Response Team, which involved training days with hundreds of people across the emergency service.  

"By chance we were seated next to each other at East Midlands Airport covering admin for the makeshift morgue.

"During a coffee break we got chatting, naturally the conversation turned to ghosts. That's when we discovered we had a shared interest, Gill being a psychic medium and I had worked in many haunted places, the current one being the local museum.  

"Gill was invited to visit for a behind the scenes tour.

"As it was Gill picked up on lots of paranormal activity on the site which the staff had spoken about for years.  Wouldn't it be a brilliant place for a ghost hunt?

"Then by shear fluke, fate, synchronicity, whatever you want to call it, the curator of the museum sent a site communication out the following week appealing for ways to raise funds using the buildings at night time.  

"We pitched the idea and went live a few months later.  In the first year we did nine events and have kept growing.

"We have stayed true to core offer which is heritage and focusing on the ancestors who lived, worked and owned the venues.  All of our guest will leave an event after learning about the sites history and hopefully experiencing some of the 'residents' activities.

"We started delivering ghost walks when Michele's job incorporated Bosworth Battlefield, since then we have added to our walks to include Bradgate Park, Moira Furnace and Ashby De La Zouch.

"If you are looking for something which will test your nerve a bit more, then a ghost hunt at the 1620 House in nearby Donington Le Heath is a must.  

One of the oldest buildings in Leicestershire has many ghostly goings on and the Haunted Heritage team believe it to be one of the most haunted venues in Leicestershire....and their favourite venue.

"With two ghost walks on your doorstep and a haunted manor house nearby and dozens of haunted pubs it does make you realise that North West Leicestershire is quite a hot spot for paranormal activity.

"If you enjoy local history

•Are an experienced ghost hunter

•If you want to be involved supporting a local heritage site

"Then a Haunted Heritage Paranormal event is the ideal way to go from an armchair ghost hunter to the real thing. 

"We don't guarantee that you will see a ghostly apparition, but what we will promise is that we will provide every opportunity for you to experience being a ghost hunter, proving instruction and guidance so that you can form your own conclusions.

"Not everything is paranormal, ghost hunting can be a very quiet evening....or the most exciting experience you will ever have."

The full list of next month's Haunted Heritage events is:

•Saturday 5 September - 1620 House Ghost Hunt

•Tuesday 29 September - Ashby Ghost Walk

For details of how to book, click here: Haunted Heritage