Families are invited to search for friendly ghosts along the Stroudwater Canal on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9.

Following the success of last year's Ghost Hunters event, Cotswold Canals Connected has invited even more ghosts to entertain families with their fascinating tales from the past.

Participants will meet at St Cyr's Church in Stonehouse to collect a map then walk with a group along the towpath towards Ryeford, stopping at points along the way where they will meet local actors to learn about the characters who lived alongside the canal when it was a working waterway.

Ghost Hunters walks take place at various times over the weekend. Tickets are free-of-charge but must be booked in advance from https://ccc-ghosthunters2024.eventbrite.co.uk 

Sophie Wakefield, Cotswold Canals Connected events manager said: ""Ghost Hunters is a fabulous way of bringing history to life.

"As a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it's crucial for us to engage young audiences with their local history and heritage - and this event is the perfect way to do that.

"We've partnered with local actors from Flies on the Wall Youth Theatre and researchers from Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity who will bring these intriguing stories from the past to a new audience."

The canal towpath is a wide flat surface, of good terrain and suitable for guests with buggies, mobility issues or disabilities, so everyone can join in the fun.

This year Ghost Hunters is part of the Stonehouse Walking Festival and Heritage Open Days, an annual celebration of England's rich history and culture.

Cotswold Canals Connected is a partnership of organisations led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust which are restoring the canal network, enhancing and creating new wildlife habitats, and helping local communities to connect with heritage and nature.