A LANDLADY of a haunted pub who said she is too frightened to go downstairs after closing has appealed for help.

Alma Thompson, of the Red Rock Inn, near Padiham, has asked for a clairvoyant to help her understand the poltergeist she believes haunts her pub.

"I know it's daft, but I just can't go downstairs. I'm absolutely petrified."

But the 52-year-old does not want the Ghostbusters -- all she wants is to get to the bottom of the mystery.

She said her regulars know about the ghost called Mary and they know that somebody has seen a female apparition walk through the pub's front wall.

She also knows that the pub was converted out of three workmen's cottages so it has a long history but that is the limit of her knowledge.

Alma said the country pub, situated on Sabden Road, in the area of Northtown between Sabden and Padiham, has had a presence since she moved in.

"I don't want to get rid of Mary, if that's what she's called," she said.

"She was here before us and is part of the fixtures and fittings, I just want to understand who she is.

"There are countless tales of glasses flying off shelves, fridges being switched off and the old clock on the mantelpiece chiming at odd times or stopping for no reason.

"When we first moved into the pub in November 2000, I was sat in the pub playing dominoes with my cousin when a glass flew across the room and shattered. We ran upstairs and locked all the doors, it was terrifying.

"A few years ago a woman was driving past the pub when she saw a woman dressed in a nun's habit walk across the road in front of her and through the wall of the pub.

"We also have a cold room upstairs that even our cat Tina won't go in, she just runs away from it."

Simon Entwistle, who runs ghost walks around Blackburn, said he has visited the pub regularly and was aware of the presence.

"I've been in the pub and it does have a strange atmosphere by itself. Like something is trying to reveal itself, a secret to hide."

Roy Hartley, of the Campaign for Real Ale, said he was not aware of the haunting at Red Rock, but he said they were quite common in East Lancashire. He added: "This country's pubs have a great history dating back hundreds of years and East Lancashire is no exception.

"In some areas they are the oldest building around. We have numerous pubs in East Lancashire that are haunted, it just proves that the pub is part of our common heritage."

If anyone would like to help Alma they can contact her at the pub on 01282 771476.