(PRWEB) October 10, 2004

GHOSTS, SPIRITS AND POLTERGEISTS haunt the narrow streets, crypts and alleyways of Chester in such numbers, according to new research, that paranormal experts are giving it the spine chilling title of Â?EnglandÂ?s most haunted cityÂ?.

The ancient walled city of Chester, in north-west Britain, was founded by the Romans some 2,000 years ago as one of the three main legionary fortresses controlling the province of Britannia. When the Romans left, the fortress was fought over by successive waves of Vikings, Danes and Welshmen.

Even today, Chester is a compact and picturesque place, full of Roman remains and black-and-white medieval houses and inns.

Over the centuries, Chester has witnessed every high and low of human existence: from joy and jubilation to slaughter, famine, plague and war. It’s no surprise then, that Chester boasts ghosts, hauntings and apparitions from every age of Britain’s history.

ChesterÂ?s Roman ghosts are among the earliest in Britain. The best known is the phantom legionary who paces between the Roman fortress walls and the nearby ruined amphitheatre. Although apparitions typically become fainter over the centuries, this spectre remains so clear that experts have identified him by his armour. He seems to be a Decurion (an officer in charge of ten men) of the Second Legion Adiutrix, stationed at Chester in the AD 70s.

Not far from ChesterÂ?s half excavated Roman amphitheatre are the atmospheric ruins of St JohnÂ?s church and priory. Peer up through the skeletal arches here, and youÂ?ll see the curious Â?coffin in the wallÂ?. Written inside it are the ominous words Â?Dust to DustÂ?. A spectral nun in a Â?bluish habitÂ? haunts the abandoned churchyard; witty guides and locals say she was originally buried in the 13th century oak casket to be Â?closer to heavenÂ?.

During the brutal English Civil War, loyalist Chester was besieged by parliamentarian troops between 1643-46. Tudor House, on Lower Bridge Street, is one of ChesterÂ?s oldest domestic buildings and is still haunted by the headless spectre of a Royalist gentleman who was cruelly decapitated by a stray cannon ball.

Chester has more than its fair share of haunted inns and pubs, too. Ye Olde Kings Head is haunted; objects move inexplicably or disappear in Room 4, and messages appear on the mirror in Room 6. The lovingly restored black-and-white Falcon Inn has a resident poltergeist, while a phantom sailor occasionally drifts through the medieval stone crypt of Watergates bar with a seamanÂ?s typical rolling gait.

Chester is truly a city of ghosts. Dave Sadler, of LiverpoolÂ?s paranormal investigators Parascience, says Â?My belief is that Chester, for its size, has the most haunted activity in the country. Some say it’s York or Derby, but I disagree. The amount of ghosts per street in Chester is phenomenal.Â?

For a growing catalogue of ChesterÂ?s ghosts, go online to http://www.hauntedchester.co.uk/. The well laid out, dedicated website explores ChesterÂ?s spooky past under headings such Â?GhostsÂ?, Â?HauntingsÂ? and Â?PoltergeistsÂ? – and currently gives details of a hundred or so haunted locations in and around Chester. ThereÂ?s also a lively forum where visitors can discuss all things spooky or bizarre.

Take a closer look at this spooky ancient setlemnet, and youÂ?ll soon agree that Chester really is EnglandÂ?s most haunted city.

For more information and digital nighttime photographs suitable for publications, please contact Wordplay Publishing at info@chesterghosts.co.uk

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