SPIRITS of a more ethereal type rather than the alcoholic ones were claimed to be present when members of a 'ghostbusting' team spent the night at the Boot Inn in Calstock, writes John Hutchins. Members of a family run, Plymouth based, group called Paranormal Devon Undiscovered —Dean, John and Carole Conlon and Jason Kedzia — were invited to The Boot by landlord Mark Thompson after a number of strange events took place at the pub, whose building dates back to 1662. The team — along with Mark and nine others — spent one Saturday night in the pub to record their findings. Among the events taking place were an unexplained loud bang, the sound of glass bottles being banged together and lights mysteriously being turned on. One night Mark went to shut the door but was unable to as he found 'someone' pushing it against it. Paranormal Devon Undiscovered, a non-profit making organisation, has already investigated paranormal phenomena reported in Devon and Cornwall, including the the Shaugh Tunnel, Cotehele Manor, the old tin mines of Burrator and Harrabeer Country House Hotel in Yelverton. Dean, co-founder and presenter of Paranormal Devon Undiscovered, said that among the phenomena the team experienced on the night were a lot of 'orb' activity; two people got pins and needles in their left arm while another had a feeling of being touched; one person felt they had been poked in the back. He said: 'One founder and one member during packing up saw a black figure up in the function room causing them to scream and run out — this sadly was not picked up on camera as we had already packed up for the night.' Mark admitted that he didn't take the proceedings to seriously and still firmly remains sceptical about ghosts. 'It was a very interesting night and very enjoyable. 'To see an orb was quite something but I didn't feel an experience of the supernatural. Ghosts don't frighten me but as a Catholic I believe I have own my protection in Jesus Christ. 'Personally I don't think there are ghosts at the Boot Inn but if there are, they are nice ghosts!' Anyone wanting a place to be considered investigation may contact the group through their website http://www.paranormaldevon.co.uk">www.paranormaldevon.co.uk