YORK's new Lord Mayor decided to pass on the spirits when he downed a pint of special ale to celebrate the city's status as the world's most haunted place.

Councillor Charles Hall celebrated the Ghost Research Foundation International's proclamation of York as the most haunted city in the world with a pint of Centurion Ghost Ale.

Coun Hall was on hand at York Brewery, along with Diana Jarvis, president of the Ghost Research Foundation, to give York the official seal of approval.

A delighted York Tourism Bureau also unveiled plans, in association with the foundation, to launch a Ghost Hunting Day on June 21.

The brewery's bar sits above the Roman road which led out of the legionary fortress across the river between Toft Green and Micklegate.

At night, strange sounds have been heard from the conditioning room and casks of the Centurion Ghost Ale have been known to disappear.

Updated: 10:26 Thursday, June 05, 2003