A popular ghost tour will take a four-legged twist next month in aid of the RSPCA.

Canterbury ghost hunter John Hippisley will be sharing tales of animal apparitions in the city next month in aid of Canterbury and District Branch of the charity.

The spooky night, on Thursday, November 13, consists of a ghost tour followed by a two-course meal in the medieval haunted hall of the Parrot pub in Church Lane, St Radigund’s.

The evening will end with more ghost stories around the Parrot’s open fire.

John, who has been running the Canterbury Ghost Tour since 1995, will impart his usual blend of history, humour and hauntings.

But aware that many on the tour will be animal lovers, John will also be mentioning a few phantom dogs and cats that can sometimes be seen in the city.

“In Canterbury there’s a story of a black cat that is regularly seen waiting around St Mildred’s Churchyard looking for its owner, who died six or seven hundred years ago,” said John.

“The cat has been seen for hundreds of years, always walking around one particular grave.

“I saw it myself a couple of months ago. There is also a phantom dog that howls for its owner down an alleyway off the city centre.

“The owner was buried at the back of the building. People regularly hear the dog on the ghost tour.”

Tickets for the evening cost £32, which includes dinner and a £10 donation to the local branch of the RSPCA.

Animal lover John hopes the evening will make about £400 for the branch, which is raising funds for a new rescue and re-homing centre in Hersden.

He said: “I wanted to give something back and raise awareness of the RSPCA, a charity I have always supported because I care about animals. The rescue centre is badly needed.”

The ghost tour starts outside Alberrys wine bar in St Margaret’s Street at 7pm.

For information or a booking form call Claire Butler on 01227 772846 or email claire.butler1@btinternet.com