VISITORS to the Marlborough area will probably not be surprised to learn that it is claimed that many buildings are haunted.

The Red Lion at Avebury is reputedly haunted by the ghost of a woman called Florrie.

The tale has it that while her husband was away fighting in the Civil War she was unfaithful, and when he came home and was told of her fling he threw her to her death in the pub's well.

Over the years many people staying at the Sun Inn in Marlborough have reported seeing spooks.

One of the best documented hauntings concerned what is now the Merchant's House, when it was the town's WH Smith branch some 35 years ago. The manager and his wife, who was the daughter of a Methodist minister, lived over the shop.

They experienced several sightings and regularly had items moved around their flat.

One night they closed a glazed screen dividing a room and in the night it was smashed to pieces, but there was no evidence of an intruder.

The manager's father in law exorcised the building but the couple moved soon after.

WH Smith moved further along the High Street to a building on the site of the former Herd and Leader's Garage where staff frequently reported seeing ghosts.

The building that is now Leighton's the opticians was claimed by staff to be haunted when it was Dewhurst's butchers.

Several of the butchers shop staff reported seeing ghosts walk through the walls and doors.