STAFF at a butcher’s shop have become the latest to experience eerie happenings connected to an historic ghostly legend.

Roger Evans at Clare Barry in Evesham’s High Street has heard doors banging when he has been alone in the store, and it is believed the spine-tingling sounds come from one or more ghosts of prisoners held on the premises some 400 years ago.

The building was used as a prison where Quakers were detained and persecuted during the late 17th century, with one local author writing of “atrocities” being carried out.

The Quakers are reported to have been locked up in a “dark and dingy” dungeon, on starvation rations – with some said to have been driven to their graves by their terrifying ordeals.

Now the Clare Barry team say they are considering challenging TV ghosthunter Yvette Fielding to spend the evening on the premises.

Incidents of ghostly footsteps in the shop next door, now Priceless Shoes, have also been recorded, along with reports that alarms have inexplicably gone off. Boxes were also said to have been thrown about and items left in particular places turned up mysteriously in others.

Shop manager Mr Evans said he has heard footsteps overhead, when he knew he and his colleagues at the shop, formerly known as Angel Meats, were the only people on the premises. He said: “The last time I heard something was just last week.

“There was only me there so I jumped out of my skin. I was just getting ready to go home. It sounded like there was someone walking around upstairs. I didn’t want to go and find out any more.

“But it’s not the first time I have heard strange noises. I know there are stories about next door but I’ve never seen anything written down about anything happening here.”

Website director Clare Lusted from www.clarebarry.co.uk said: “The High Street has already been the subject of haunted Evesham tours and in 2001 local author Anne Bradford recounted some of the blood-curdling stories of what has gone on next door in her book Worcestershire Ghosts and Hauntings. “But we never thought we were haunted too. I’m terrified. Now Roger says he has heard things and this Halloween we are going to be more watchful than ever.

“I’m a great fan of Yvette Fielding and Most Haunted, it would be brilliant if she could come and find out more.

“We’re not sure we want to know everything about our spirit but finding out could be fun, spooky but fun,” she added.