Lancaster's Ryelands House is shrouded in an eerie mystery. It has all the hallmarks of the best chilling stories complete with ghostly goings-on and spectral sightings. And many believe it is a sign that lino tycoon lord Ashton has returned to haunt his former home. Two workmen who were carrying out internal decoration at the house claim to have had a close encounter,with the ghost of the famous multi-millionaire. Malcom Greenwood and Kevin Blezard believe they saw the misty figure of Lord Ashton in the room where he died almost 50 years ago.

When we unlocked the door to the room we saw a small man in a dressing gown sat in a chair in front of the fireplace," said Malcom of Gringley Road ,Morecambe. The two stepped back in suprise and when they went back into the room he had gone. "He had his arms folded and his short legs were crossed.He seemed to be gazing into the fireplace." Their sighting has triggered several other reports of strange happenings at the 143-year old house.

MYSTERIOUS

Staff working in the ground floor clinic have noticed,that certain items have been moved around overnight. Mrs Orea Needham had felt the sensation of a cold mass,pass her on the stairs. "It was a funny chill all around me," said Mrs Needham. Mrs Mary Hobbs, who helps prepare meals for the Evergreen Club said that she saw a small man looking out of the window. "But when i got closer to speak to him, he had gone," she added.

However ,caretaker Mr Stanley Pennington remained sceptical. "I live here but I have never heard or seen anything unusual," he declared. Mrs Julie Gardner, who runs the Evergreen Club commented, " I have worked in and around this house for six years and have never seen or felt a thing." She took a look around the empty room where the latest sighting had been made, and added. "But if he is here i think he would like to be left in peace, so we certainly don`t want any spook hunters coming round."