SPOOKY goings on and things that go bump in the night are the subjects of a novelist's latest book.

Nicola Kirk 30, of Highams View, North Weald published her first novel Tiennador in 2006 telling the story of fantastical goings on in another world.

For her second book she has decided to stay with the supernatural, but has moved away from fiction and is instead collecting real-life ghost stories from around the district.

Nicola said: “I've always enjoyed reading about the paranormal and I'm quite interested in it. Obviously Epping and its surrounding areas are quite old and they have an interesting background. I think a lot of stuff goes unnoticed and thought it'd be nice to get those ideas together so people have a guide they can look them up in.

After emailing friends and family for their ideas, Nicola has already uncovered a few of the district's secrets.

“The airfield in North Weald has a few stories- planes that can't possibly be there, and spectral airmen”, she said.

“Epping Forest, itself, is apparently quite haunted with the most famous ghost said to be Dick Turpin, and it's considered quite a popular place for people to bury dead bodies “I've seen a few strange things. I had an experience at Coalhouse Fort, in Tilbury. Looking down I saw a black shadow walking across the parade ground. There was no person, just a black shape.”

Although somewhere between a sceptic and a believer herself, Nicola is keen for people to contact her to share their own unusual encounters.

“I'm looking for absolutely anything odd,” she said. “Anything that doesn't fit into everyday life. It doesn't have to a ghost, it could be a strange experience with a Ouija board, or an out-of-body experience.

“I'm open-minded, but I won't just take somebody's word. I'd have to see something myself, or there's always an element of doubt. I'd have to go along to investigate.”

Anyone who can help Nicola with her quest for scary stories should email her at weirdworld@hotmail.co.uk.