Hallowe’en thief grabs astrologer’s bony replica from outside Haunted, in Stonegate, York (From York Press)

Hallowe’en thief grabs astrologer’s bony replica from outside Haunted, in Stonegate, York

11:02am Saturday 31st October 2009 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

A LIFE-SIZE hanging skeleton has been stolen from one of York’s most haunted properties.

Thieves stole the replica skeleton hanging outside Haunted, in Stonegate, on Thursday.

The theft was described by the property’s owner, celebrity astrologer Jonathan Cainer, pictured above, as “audacious”.

“The skeleton was hanging outside the shop one minute and the next it was gone,” he said.

“Obviously, being Hallowe’en, somebody thought it would be wacky and fun to take a huge skeleton and the temptation was too big to resist.”

Mr Cainer will be hosting an attempt to break the world record for the biggest ghost vigil tonight. He said he hoped about 1,000 people would be at the event at the foot of Clifford’s Tower.

Meanwhile, at Terrington Hall School, boarders enjoyed delicacies including tail-of-newt jelly, slithering swamp surprise, gritty graveyard slices and ghouls’ brain cake. They were then judged on their costumes – with first prize to Josh Keys and second to Polly Everitt – and took part in devilish games including wrap the mummy, witches’ spring cleaning, and apple-bobbing.

There was also Hallowe’en fun at the Busy Bees nursery, in Rawcliffe, and the Happy Jays nursery, at Clifton Moor.