HOUNDS and hauntings and other dark aspects of Devon folklore will be celebrated at the Wren Trust's annual Baring-Gould study day in Okehampton later this month.

Internationally-known raconteur and folklorist Patrick Ryan, will be spinning scary stories of the spirit world and talking about his latest book on folklore.

Marilyn Tucker takes up the tales of ghostly goings-on with a talk entitled Black Dogs and White Birds, while Martin Graebe will present Pixies, Padfoots and Popular Antiquities. Both contributions will draw on the work of the Rev Sabine Baring-Gould of Lewtrenchard, who collected many of the area's myths and legends of these parts, one hundred years ago.

Sites around Okehampton visited during the study day will be the Ockment Centre, a local pub and the castle.

The day's fun will be rounded off with a walk to the castle to see if Lady Howard and her ghostly coach of bones have made an appearance. The study day finishes at 5pm, but there will be an optional extra of pub get together during the evening.

For further information or to book tickets for the event on October 29, please contact Wren on 01837 53754.