LONGTOWN is gearing up to celebrate a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween after community organisers decided to put on range of events for children.

The brains behind the Longtown Pumpkin Trail, Kerry Atlinsky, Wendy Robson and Kerry Dixon, have hailed the generosity of residents and local businesses after a flood of donations meant the number of events could be expanded.

It’s will now cater for hundreds of children, with social distancing measures in place.

Kerry said: “We started to do the trail around Longtown, where they find clues and write down codewords, and it’s just got bigger and bigger as more people contributed.

“The community and businesses have been absolutely phenomenal.

“Local businesses gave us cash so the children could get some sweets but then we got more and more.

“We are now putting on seven different events because of the donations.”

Now the trail includes a raffle and competitions for best decorated window/garden, pumpkin carving, the Esk Holistic Colouring Competition and best costume.

Because of coronavirus, numbers have been limited because of social distancing regulations.

About 180 children have booked and it has now sold out.

However, there are places still available for the other events.

Many of the competitions are open from toddlers to those aged 18 and over.

For more information about how to enter the various events, go the groups Facebook page: @longtownhalloween2020