12/5/2006

A ghost called the White Lady is being turned into a tourist attraction at a local resort.

It is hoped she will be one of the stars of this year's Prestatyn
Walking Festival from May 19-21.

The apparition, thought to be a nun, is one of the spooky characters to be featured in a Ghost Walk, researched and developed by historian Harry Thomas.

This year the festival is benefiting from marketing and promotional expertise provided by Tourism Partnership North Wales.

It will last three days and features a total of 16 walks, ranging from a leisurely 45 minute stroll to a 20-mile marathon along the Offa's Dyke long-distance path from Moel Famau to Prestatyn.

And Harry is hoping that some uninvited guests will join the throng during the 90-minute walk, called "Dead Time Stories", on the evening of May 19.

He said: "The White Lady is the most familiar apparition and has been seen most often."

"The last occasion was a few months ago when a local woman helping her father lay some fishing lines on the beach noticed a figure walking along the prom."

"She pointed the woman out to her father and together they watched her for about 15 seconds before she disappeared."

"There was also another sighting last year when a couple noticed a woman in white sitting on the sea wall reading."

"They thought it was odd as it was getting dark but as they approached the apparition vanished."

Another "visitor" to the town to feature in Harry's conducted tour has appeared in the town's old police station in Nant Hall Road.

An old woman dressed in long, dark clothes, she made her presence felt to a policeman's wife who lived in the building.

When the premises became offices, an employee also reported having felt a strange presence.

Highbury Avenue, Victoria Road, and the neighbouring villages of Meliden, Gronant and Llanasa, can also lay claim to their ghosts, with a story surrounding each visitation.

Tourism Partnership's Marketing and Events Executive, Carole Startin, said: "The festival started last year as a one day event and it was organised by Prestatyn Town Council to try and generate some more business in the area."

"Because it's held during the third week of May, it's a time when
tourist wouldn't normally be flocking to the area."

"This year it's grown from one day to three days and Tourism
Partnership were asked to take part, providing marketing and promotional expertise."

"In terms of tourism, walking is hugely important to the visitor
economy in North Wales."

"It's one of the biggest growth markets in North Wales - it already
generates more than £150 million annually in the region."

"But we're not just aiming this at avid walkers, it's also for families
and people who want a fun day out, so all levels of fitness are catered for."

Prestatyn Walking Festival is supported by all the local rambling
groups and other businesses and organisations. All the walks are led by experienced leaders and are graded according
to difficulty.

Most of them start at the Guide Headquarters top of the car park in the centre of Prestatyn, though transport will be provided to some locations.

For further details of all the walks call 01745 857185 or check out the website: www.prestatynwalkingfestival.co.uk

Source:	Prestatyn Walking Festival
	Web Link