A TERRIFYING character from East Yorkshire’s dim and distant past is being brought back to life in what York Dungeon is billing as its “scariest ever show”.

Most residents know all about the local connections of historical figures such as Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin, but many will never have heard of the strange but true story of Isabella Billington, a Pocklington woman who was hanged on the Knavesmire for witchcraft in 1679.

Billington was tried and convicted of crucifying her mother before sacrificing a calf and a cockerel - behaviour which suggested to ordinary 17th-century folk that she was in cahoots with the devil.

During the new show, Isabella desperately tries to convince visitors from her cage that she is innocent - but you’re warned not to be taken in.

York Dungeon marketing executive Simon Alnaimi said: “This isn’t someone who was falsely accused, Isabella was a real criminal and capable of some real evil.

“Her show was originally made exclusively for Halloween, but it was so scary we had to bring it back.”

The show is open now and will run until March, alongside ten other live shows at the dungeons. Tickets can be purchased on the door or online at www.thedungeons.com/york