With Halloween just around the corner, you might get some inspiration for an original costume by swotting up on the ghostly past (and present) of our own city.

Chester Guild of Tour Guides have many tales of paranormal activity from the past to draw on to terrify the tourists, but they are often amazed by stories they are told of current ghostly activity in the city centre.

One took it upon herself to check out the active 21st century ghouls for a new book.

Mary Ann Cameron went on her own ghost tour of Chester, checking which spectres were still alive and well in the shops, pubs, and hotels of the city.

Pipe smoke

She was told by staff at the former Christy’s shop in Bridge Street that they would often smell pipe smoke and be stopped from going up or down the stairs.

Mary Ann said: “A visiting member of staff thought that was ridiculous and boldly went up the stairs to work in the stockroom – but later had to call for help because something was stopping her coming back down.

Related: Haunted Chester exploring ghost stories and spooky goings on

Another modern tale took place at the city’s original cathedral, now St John’s Church.

Mary Ann said: “In 2014 a tourist visited St John’s, took photographs in its wonderfully atmospheric ruins and then, shaken and bemused, showed them to one of the volunteers, Gill – in each of the photos, the hooded figure of a monk could clearly be seen!”

Chester City of Ghosts
An image from the cover of Chester City of Ghosts

City of Ghosts is available to buy from Beatons, Sally’s Secret Garden, the Scented Garden, St John the Baptist church, Pemberley’s, Tea on the Wall and the Visitor Information Centre.

All profits from the book will go to St John’s Church.