An Altrincham couple are launching a new ghost-busting group that will investigate spooky goings-on in Trafford.

The first meeting of Trafford's paranormal investigations group will be at the Old Market Tavern, in Altrincham, on November 23, 2004 at 7.30pm.

Diana Atkinson, 29, and her husband, Paul, 34 are both members of the Bassetlaw Ghost Research Group - a Nottingham based club whose members search for proof that there are such things as ghosts.

Diana said: "David Wharmby who founded Bassetlaw will be our special guest at the first meeting.

"We're both really looking forward to the meeting its exciting to be going independent whilst obviously maintaining the guidance of the main group."

Diana is confident that the club will have plenty of ghost cases and spiritual activity to investigate - especially around the regions older buildings and cemeteries.

"The Orange Tree pub in Altrincham is a place I particularly enjoy going to because there does seem to be something going on there. It's been investigated quite a lot by ghost hunters.

"The other place that really stands out for me is the Salisbury Pub, in Manchester, where I've had a picture taken with an orb above my head. Researchers generally regard an orb as the first signs of a manifestation of a spirit.

"When I first saw the picture I noticed this very light mist above my head - but it was only a couple of year's later when I started to research the subject that I realised what it could be."

Diana's fascination with the paranormal began as a child.

She said: "It was before the massive craze of Most Haunted'. I knew early on that I had psychic abilities.

"But I was brought up in a religious family and the subject was always was very much taboo.

"I learnt very quickly to keep it to myself. It wasn't until I was an adult that I started to explore the psychic world a lot more."

For further information on the group phone Diana on 0161 610 3665.