York was recently declared the most haunted city in Europe. Now a group of ghost hunters are here to check it out, as CHRIS TITLEY and RACHEL LACY report

'I THOUGHT it was a load of mumbo jumbo for the tourist, this haunted pub stuff. But there's things in here." Michelle Arnold sounds fraught. Since she took over as manager at the Golden Fleece, in Pavement, York, she has hardly slept.

"I have been here three weeks. It's been the longest three weeks of my life."

Bosses at the Local Heroes pub company did warn her that the Fleece was reputedly York's most haunted hostelry. But she took no notice.

Until, that is, she started feeling, seeing and hearing things. An apparition moving across the bar and through the wall. Footsteps and what sounded like a bunch of old keys rattling when Michelle was alone in the pub. An icy hand brushing up her spine.

"Shadows at the side of you. An outline. It's like that when it moves from the double doors at the top right the way through the building," she says.

"I came in completely cynical, thinking it a load of bunkum. I've since spoken to people in the know.

"Apparently, spirits don't like too much change. Since I've come in, we have ripped out the kitchens and replaced them, and we have decorated.

"We've made a lot of changes to the building. It's at times like this spirits make themselves known, to make sure you know it's their building."

She stops and shudders. "Hell, as I'm talking to you now someone walked past me - and there's nothing in here."

Michelle, a relief bar manager, is staying in one of the rooms upstairs. But she has hardly spent a night alone in the pub, ensuring from early on that there was always someone else staying over.

"I didn't turn off the light for two weeks, I was so scared."

This is just what members of the Ghost Research Foundation International (GRFI) want to hear. Not that they wish sleepless nights on anyone: but they would love to experience this level of paranormal activity during their all-night vigil at the Golden Fleece.

The GRFI recently declared York to be the most haunted city in Europe. Since then, the Evening Press has reported two more ghost stories: a Roman spectre patrolling a family home in Norton; and the spirit of an Irish builder who has a taste for whisky and mischief in Heworth, York.

So what better city for the GRFI tenth anniversary weekend?

All sorts of events are planned for Haunted York, including ghost walks, visits to the York Dungeon and Micklegate Bar Museum and even a ghost cruise.

The Golden Fleece is a former coaching inn mentioned in the York archives as far back as 1503 and many guests have reported seeing a ghostly woman wandering the corridors and staircases in the small hours.

She is believed to be Lady Alice Peckitt, wife of one of York's Lord Mayors and former resident of the house next door.

The footsteps and key-rattling Michelle heard, meanwhile, could be caused by a former housemaid as she goes about her eternal chores.

The GRFI is hopeful that they will come across yet more ghosts. Members of the non-profit making group come equipped with all sorts of technology, including electromagnetic detectors and infra red video observation units.

Ghost investigators fall into two main categories: the psychic and the scientific.

While the first group rely on their psychic gifts to seek out spirits, the scientists measure electromagnetic and temperature variations.

Originally called the Ghost Research Foundation, it was founded by Jason Karl and Daniel Holmes ten years ago. They recruited a photographer and a senior investigator, and laid down objectives for overnight studies at haunted locations in Britain.

The foundation became recognised in the field of psychic research after their initial studies at The Whately Hall Hotel in Banbury, Oxfordshire and Edgehill Battlefield in Warwickshire. They now offer consultancies, disturbance assistance, and more, but with investigations still very much at the forefront of their work, many of them taking place in York.

Jason, a parapsychologist and co-presenter on Living TV's Most Haunted and The Spectre Inspector, is now the foundation's president.

"GRFI's main role is to research and study cases of alleged ghostly phenomena worldwide," he says. "We have travelled extensively working on research projects across the globe and nowhere have we found more ghosts than in historic York."

The foundation has a dossier on more than 40 York hauntings, with about 100 more they plan to investigate.

Members recently a spent night in Mother Shipton's Cave and investigated the battle site at Marston Moor. They plan to conduct an investigation at Towton battlefield next year.

The ghost hunters are looking forward to celebrating their tenth anniversary weekend in York, especially considering the warm, open-minded welcome they have received in the city. And for the first time, all the events are open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of York Tourism Bureau is delighted the ghost foundation is here.

"It's fantastic that visitors and residents will be able to take part in real live investigations - we're sure it will create a lot of interest," she says.

Tonight, Dennis Bardens from the Ghost Club Society and author of Ghosts And Hauntings and Psychic Animals will give a talk at the Golden Fleece.

Then the GRFI will settle down to a serious night's investigations. It is not something Michelle Arnold is looking forward to.

"They are investigating the amount of spirit activity in each part of the building. I have refused them access to my bedroom. I don't want to know what's in there.

"I'm scared they're going to disturb something in here that doesn't want to be disturbed."

She has asked her sister-in-law to keep her company, offering her free champagne as an inducement. "I'll have a bottle of Moet in one hand and my crucifix in the other," she says.

And she is counting the days to her next pub posting. "I will be one relieved relief manager when I get out of here."

Members of the public who want to join the GRFI on any part of the investigation can ring the organisers on 07736 770185, 07944 855628 or 07759 452406

Updated: 10:36 Friday, September 06, 2002