Paranormal group Old Haunts wants people to join them as they delve into mysterious matters at Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre and Borough Hall, and Peterlee Community Centre, known locally as the White House.

The event will see group members Andrea Vasey, Sheila Dignen, Amanda Slater and Janet Seaton joined on their investigations by Dave Williams, a spiritualist medium from Dudley, in the West Midlands.

Andrea, who works for Hartlepool Borough Council during the day and lives in Seaton Carew, said the venues are exclusive to the Old Haunts team and she is particularly excited about the Borough Hall.

"I've been wanting to get my hands on the Borough Hall for a long time. I think it will be a really good venue," she said.

Andrea is passionate about all things paranormal and has taken part in previous ghost walks at the Heugh Battery with Mr Williams and psychic Ralph Keeton.

She added: "I've seen ghosts before and there are things I've heard about in the Borough Hall, which I want to investigate further.

"I've heard stories and things about people being spooked in there. I want to see how haunted this area really is."

People who go along to the overnight vigils will be able to take part in seances, table-tipping, where participants sit around a table, place their hands on top and feel a spiritual sensation, and the ancient art of dowsing, which uses rods or crystals to locate spirit activity.

Mr Williams, who has toured the country doing both public and private investigations, said: "I love it up this part of the country.

"They say Derby is the dead centre of England but I have had much more spiritual activity in the areas around Hartlepool than anywhere else."

The vigils will take place at the Borough Hall, in Middlegate, on March 8, the Town Hall Theatre, in Raby Road, on April 12, and Peterlee Community Centre, in Eden Lane, on June 13.

Spaces are limited and anyone wanting further details or tickets can contact Andrea on 07711 994550 or Sheila on 07738 873275.

Alternatively, visit www.oldhaunts.co.uk