Ghost hunters seeking spirits in Swindon

The aim of the project is to explore the haunted heritage of the town and raise awareness of any ghoulish findings.

So far the two bodies have agreed in principal that PSI can carry out studies at STEAM Museum, Milton Road Baths and a site at the Pinehurst Peoples' Centre.

PSI's Dave Wood said the project may change attitudes that Swindon has not got a reputation for spooky goings-on. "I think Swindon sees more supernatural action than people give it credit fo," he said. "Because it's a relatively new town people think it can't be haunted but there are older buildings in Swindon and we're looking forward to doing some more exploring."

To kick off the project PSI held two investigations at the Victorian Jolly Tar pub in Hannington. Before the visit the PSI team member, who has asked to remain anonymous, dreamed of a pub where a man loitered in a corner at the end of the lounge bar When she arrived at the Jolly Tar with her team she discovered the bar layout exactly matched her dream, although she had never been there before or seen a photograph.

Even more curiously, the man in her dreams was scruffy-looking, which tallies with the description of the middle-aged ghost that staff had recently seen wearing old clothes in the same place.

The ghost of a remarkably similar-looking man has also been seen in the public bar by the landlady, chef, and local customers.

Disturbing scenario

When PSI re-visited the Jolly Tar a week later, another team member sensed a solitary man pacing back and forth behind the bar on a dark and stormy night.

He was dripping wet and was anxious about something that had just happened to a woman - something bad that he was responsible for.

Unusually for this sort of vision, the team member also sensed names for the two - William Dreyfuss and Mollie Tanner.

The Jolly Tar (tar means a sailor) opened as an inn in 1855 but it started life in the eighteenth century as a farmhouse, and although Mrs Ann Tanner was living in Hannington in 1851 (she had been born there around 1781), it has not yet been possible to positively link her or either of William and Mollie with the farm or the pub.

A wide variety of other phenomena was recorded during the two visits, ranging from dark shadows flitting about, to mysterious sounds (several of which were recorded by video equipment, and whose source remains unidentified).

PSI spokesperson Nicky Sewell is confident that other searches will bring up equally intriguing scenarios. "We are thrilled to be working with Swindon Borough Council on this project," she said. "Many of Swindon's oldest buildings with haunted reputations repeated over time are owned by the council and we are pleased to have this opportunity to explore these cases."

Coun Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council lead member for Leisure, Culture & Recreation, added: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with PSI on this exciting project. Most people who live in Swindon are proud of our heritage, but this is an opportunity to celebrate that heritage.

"Interest in this area is at an all-time high and I think most of us know enough people who have had experiences to know we should not rule out this sort of enquiry. We will be supporting PSI with their challenge to uncover and promote apparently haunted sites in the town."

PSI's 10 most haunted sites in Swindon are:

1.The Jolly Tar ub, Hannington 2.The Clifton Pub, Old Town 3.Wyvern Theatre 4.The Penhill housing estate 5.Milton Road Baths 6.Pinehurst People's Centre 7.The old railway works buildings, especially the Steam Museum 8.Lawn Woods, Old Town 9.Barnaby Castle, near Wroughton 10.Lydiard House

If you have any paranormal tales to tell about these venues post a comment below. Or maybe you have more candidates for spooky buildings in Swindon. We want to hear about them.

PSI is also interested in hearing the experiences of Swindon residents and visitors and can be contacted through their website www.p-s-i.org.uk

More information on the project can be found at www.hauntedswindon.com.