GHOSTLY goings on in East Lancashire are spiriting a tourism boost for the area.

For a new DVD, presented by "ghost host" Simon Entwistle is aiming to bring in visitors and fascinate locals with spellbinding historical stories.

The ghost walker and TV presenter, who was born in Colne, has been delving into the area's colourful past for the DVD which it is hoped will boost the area's profile as it it will be distributed across the country and on the worldwide web.

Pendle Council is backing the bid to boost the tourism pound in the borough by fuelling more interest in the area's connection to old folk-tales - especially the famous Pendle Witches.

And Simon said he was delighted to return to his roots after conducting tours across East Lancashire, including Colne, Blackburn, Darwen and Accrington.

He said: "The witches were brought over the top of Pendle Hill, dragged through Clitheroe and Whalley over the Trough of Bowland to Lancaster where they were imprisoned in 1612 and put on trial.

"It was really interesting material to go through."

The film crew shot scenes in Wycoller, Colne and Lancaster.

Simon added: "While doing this I also found out that my grandmother's grandma was directly related to the famous Pendle witch Alice Nutter, who was hanged.

"That was fascinating to learn and gave a new dimension to the whole project.

"Tourism is already doing really well in East Lancashire but this DVD will further help put the area on the map and help to get it known throughout the world.

"It will be a big boost to tourism."

Producer Paul Goodger said: "We have completed interviews with the professor of Lancaster University, the lady from Witches Galore and the vicar of the church in Newchurch-in- Pendle.

"There's a lot of talk about witches being buried there and graves being robbed.

"However we found no truth in that and the DVD sets out to tell the true story of the Pendle Witches rather than relying on legend and the mystical side of it."

The Pendle Witches DVD, produced by Preview Places Ltd, based in Leyland, has been funded by Pendle Council and will go on sale later this year priced at £14.99.

It will be sold at tourist information centres throughout the county and online via Amazon.

Producers are also in talks with Woolworths and Tescos about selling it in store.