PUB-goers to the Red Lion in Avebury were left screaming and running out the bar in terror when they were spooked by 'ghostly' activity trying to order a drink.

The revellers saw a wobbling beer pump handle, sudden falling objects and a gust of wind blowing papers off the table, followed by the lights going out and a terrifying female ghost appearing.

However, the incidents were in fact elaborate spooky tricks set up using special effects and an actress to prank a group of good-humoured visitors to the pub, paying homage to the Red Lion's ghostly reputation.

The bar was rigged with hidden cameras capturing the reactions for a short online film of the unsuspecting participants, who had been invited under the rouse of trying a new beer and seeing the infamous stone circle.

The light-hearted project was created by the team behind the UK’s premium ale brand, Old Speckled Hen, to celebrate the launch of limited edition Old Spirited Hen in time for Halloween.

Manager of the Red Lion, Ryan Rawal, was there for filming, which took place over the summer.

He said: “It was great fun to take part, and even though I saw it all being set up, when they actually set off all the effects, it was very convincing.

"It was quite intriguing for our normal customers when they heard screams from the next room, but we made sure everyone was aware and ok with what was going on.

“Everyone that took part took it in great humour afterwards, and a few of our regular customers even got involved. Thankfully for our nerves, we do not get quite that level of haunting normally, but there are a lot of very convincing ghost stories told regularly at the bar.

"Plenty of the team here have experienced something they cannot quite explain – it is certainly an interesting place to work.”

The Red Lion is unique in that it is the only pub in Britain to be surrounded by a stone circle. Originally a farmhouse dating back to the early 17th century and turned into a coaching house, the pub has been voted as one of the top ten most haunted pubs in the world.

There are said to be at least five ghosts at the Red Lion, with the most famous being a girl named Florrie who was killed by her husband after he discovered her unfaithfulness. She can be found by a well inside the pub and it is thought that she is responsible for throwing small items across the bar.

Some other ghosts seen include two children and a woman, possibly related, as well as a ghostly horse and carriage that pulls up outside the pub.

The film has been released on YouTube in time for Halloween. To watch it visit: youtube.com/watch?v=jxUiC-78GH8

Old Spirited Hen is available at the bar in the Red Lion. For more information about the Red Lion, go to: oldenglishinns.co.uk/the-red-lion-avebury.