CESTRIANS out late at night would have had a chilling encounter of the spooky kind if they walked past The Blue Bell Restaurant in Chester on Monday.

Those familiar with the history of the restaurant might have thought it was the restaurant's resident ghost, Henrietta, peering out at them from the window.

The digital image of the 350-year-old spook was created by Chester artist Sharon Byrne.

She has used historical facts together with anecdotes from workers at the restaurant to produce the 'ghost'.

The spirit of Henrietta is said to have waited at the window of the restaurant for more than 350 years, hoping for her lover to return from the English Civil War.

Here, the artist presents herself as the spirit of Henrietta, in a way, symbolising the endless waiting for a loved one.

Sharon's work has also brought its admirers to the restaurant and the staff who work there feel that combining the build-ing's history and art is a great idea.

The artist herself says her own personal quest for love has influenced the production of the piece and that 'women will relate to Henrietta's eternal wait for her lost love'.

Sharon, 34, added: 'The use of the visual medium as part of her work has produced a vibrant art piece that will give a person the sense of Henrietta's passion and loss.'

According to restaurant manager Corinne Colli: 'The ghost is an attractive girl dressed in a cream dress who, while making her presence known to those in the restaurant, is always friendly and never unpleasant.

'Customers have commented they have felt a presence and a cold chill while eating their meal and that they knew nothing of the ghost's history in the restaurant.'

Corinne herself says she has felt her hair stand up and sensed someone watching her while working at the Blue Bell. There is an opportunity to view Sharon's work at Kaleyards Gallery, Frodsham Street, tomorrow (Saturday, May 22), 1-3pm and 7-9pm and also on Thursday, May 27 between 1-3pm.

The Kaleyards will present a new audio-visual installation developed by the artist around the theme of Henrietta.