By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 13:54, Saturday, 18 February 2012

Two university psychology students spent a long, dark night in a Carlisle university building looking for paranormal activity.

From left, Josh Egglestone, Craig Dugdale and Joe Jackson

University of Cumbria students Craig Dugdale, 20, and Josh Egglestone, 21, assisted by friend Joe Jackson, stayed overnight in the university’s Skiddaw Building in Fusehill Street. They were working on a module aimed at uncovering potential careers following their time at university and decided investigation of the paranormal was one option.

Craig, a second year student, said: “Josh and I are both drawn to parapsychology and we decided this assignment would be a good opportunity to research this area as a possible career pathway.

“We’ve spent some time looking into the chequered history of the university buildings at Fusehill Street and decided to stay in one overnight.”

The three older buildings on the university’s Fusehill Street campus were originally a Victorian workhouse which became a military hospital during the world wars.

With the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948, they then became the City General and Maternity Hospital until 1999 and the opening of the city’s new infirmary. St Martin’s College took over the site which then became part of the new University of Cumbria.

Josh said: “Nothing much happened although it was quite eerie. We set up a static camera in one area, as well as taking one with us as we moved around.

“The staff at the university have been really helpful – we realise this was quite an unusual request. We were keen to explore the possible academic research value that parapsychology might have and we feel we’ve achieved the remit of the assignment.”

Lecturer Julie Taylor said: “The majority of students looked at more conventional psychology careers, such as clinical, forensic, health, sport, organisational and educational psychology.

“However, we were happy to support Josh and Craig’s approach to the assignment.

“Paranormal activity, whether we believe in it or not, influences some people’s behaviour and so is a legitimate area to explore.”

First published at 08:55, Saturday, 18 February 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk