FEARLESS sisters Mandy Paul and Linda Hayhurst are boldly going where no two women have gone before - spending the night in one of Lancashire's most haunted buildings.

And the women, from Chatburn and Earby, say they are excited at the prospect of spotting things that go bump in the night

Samlesbury Hall is thought to be haunted by the White Lady, the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth who lived at the hall in the 17th century with her family of staunch Catholics.

According to folklore a teenage Dorothy fell in love with her Protestant neighbour and the pair planned to elope.

The night before they were due to flee Dorothy's brother discovered the plan and killed his sister's lover and his two accomplices.

Dorothy was sent abroad to a convent where she went insane and eventually died before returning to haunt the hall. Some years ago three human skeletons were discovered near the walls of the hall.

Mrs Paul, 36, of Downham Road, Chatburn, who runs Hudsons ices, decided to undertake the sponsored sleep-over after visiting the hall with her children and seeing the hall's appeal for £250,000 to fix the roof.

She was told that although many groups of psychics and visitors had stayed over, no two women had ever been brave enough to go it alone. She then set about trying to persuade somebody to sleep over with her in the Great Hall.

After dozens of refusals she turned to somebody she knew would not let her down - her sister Linda, 49, a housewife, of Greenend Avenue, Earby.

Thet will stay over next month - but refuse to reveal the exact date for fear of pranksters playing practical jokes.

Mandy said: "We'll be locked in the hall at 8pm and the door won't be opened until morning.

"I think the hall is very eerie. I'm apprehensive but not scared. We're actually hoping we do see something. I've seen ghosts before so I know there's nothing to fear."

Linda added: "I've seen ghosts before and I know they're nothing to be scared of. I saw a woman when I lived on a farm in Scotland and I saw the ghost of my grandmother when I was 12-years-old. We won't sleep during the night, we'll probably just sit up talking and watching."

Samlesbury Hall events manager Sylvia Thomas said: "There have been various sightings in the hall. People have felt themselves being pushed or have felt someone touching their hair.

"People say they feel a friendly atmosphere. The ghosts aren't threatening but I still think they're brave."