Ghostbusters enter spooked docks

Sailors have seen ghosts in old dockyard buildings

A 19-strong team of ghost busting experts has started a two-night investigation into ghostly goings-on at Plymouth's naval dockyard.

The team of psychics spent Friday night examining psychic activity in the dock's Hangman's Cell.

They were also investigating sightings of a girl's ghost seen playing in the Master Ropemaker's House.

The Navy allowed the team in after reports of strange sightings around the dockyard.

The people who work here report spiritual activity to me all over the place, it's rampant Commander Charles Crichton

Researchers include psychics, mediums and paranormal scientists from Brunel University, the Society of Metaphysicians and the Cornwall-based Paranormal Research Organisation.

Before the taking part in the inquiry, team leader Carole Bromley, known as Goldy, from West Drayton, Middlesex, said she had seen a ghostly young girl and "quite a few figures" on the base.

She added: "Before we go into the house, we will conduct a séance to tell them why we are here so the ghosts are aware of what we are doing and why we are doing it."

The paranormal researchers have brought toys and blackboards for child ghosts to play with.

They also set up objects including a made-up bed, balls, marbles and furniture in an attempt to detect poltergeists.

Commander Charles Crichton invited the paranormal investigators on to the base and stayed with them overnight for security reasons.

Numerous executions

He said: "The Navy will accept the evidence which will be offered by this team.

"The people who work here report spiritual activity to me all over the place - it's rampant."

Since World War II, The Master Ropemaker's House has built a reputation as one of Plymouth's most haunted houses.

Base staff have reported sightings of a young girl in Victorian costume and a bearded sailor in the building.

The nearby Hangman's Cell contains what is believed to be the only remaining working gallows in Britain, and was reportedly the scene of numerous executions during the Napoleonic Wars.

Devonport Dockyard is the largest naval base in western Europe.

It was founded in the 17th Century by William of Orange.