TO many people ghosts and the supernatural lie beyond the realms of possibility, but two women from Bradford on Avon have discovered there may be some truth to Wiltshire's wealth of ghost tales and legends.

As youngsters prepare to celebrate Halloween this weekend, Jenny Haworth has been taking a closer look at the women's spooky discoveries.

TWO authors from Bradford on Avon who share a fascination with ghost tales are compiling a new book on people's experiences with the supernatural in west Wiltshire.

Margaret Dobson, 71, and Simone Goldberg, 67, have already conducted scores of interviews with a variety of people who have one thing in common: they believe they have seen a ghost.

Mrs Dobson, who is a historian, author of Bradford Voices and former chairman of the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust, said: "We go and ask them to tell their story. We don't give them any prompting whatsoever and we don't have any preconceptions about what we want to hear."

As a result they have compiled a whole host of detailed and vivid stories.

Mrs Goldberg, of St Margaret's Street, who has just written Oshun's Gold, said: "What's so fascinating is that often these are

very brief encounters but they are starkly etched into people's minds.

"I often find the women talk about it more matter-of-factly than men.

"Often men get very emotional. Their voices choke and they are reliving it themselves. I think the men don't accept it so directly."

According to the two researchers much of the supernatural activity takes place in houses or buildings undergoing work or renovations.

Mrs Dobson said: "This isn't about us knowing that ghosts exist and trying to show it to others, but more of an exploration."

As well as stories from private residents, pubs have also proved a frequent source of stories, including the Cross Guns in Avoncliff.

Landlord Ken Roberts said: "The most predominant sighting is of a woman seen in the glimpse of an eye wearing a blue Victorian dress and a bonnet."

A man wearing a priest's outfit, a governess and an old man wearing a cloth cap similar to those worn by men who used to work on the barges, have also been seen by staff and customers at the 16th century pub.

The two women are particularly interested in talking to someone who has witnessed Bradford on Avon's legendary Sally in the Woods firsthand.

The ghost is believed to haunt the A363 and get into people's cars.

The authors are also appealing for anybody who has seen a ghost in Bradford on Avon's tithe barn.

Mrs Dobson said: "We are not interested in bogus stories but genuine first-person experiences.

"This is a serious inquiry and we owe it to the people who give us their stories to treat them with dignity."

Anyone who has a genuine story to tell can contact Mrs Goldberg on (01225) 868955 or Mrs Dobson on (01225) 862428.