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Hylton Castle, Sunderland

THE castle is one of Sunderland's most famous haunted buildings and its ghost, the Cauld Lad, is believed to have caused many a disturbance over the years.

The ghost is said to be the spirit of stable boy Robert Skelton, who was killed after being caught napping by Baron Robert Hylton. He struck the boy with a pitchfork, killing him instantly.

Like all good poltergeists, the Cauld Lad's favourite pastime was throwing dishes, plates and pewter, but this only happened if the Hylton kitchen had been left in a tidy state.

A lady who lived in the castle when it was last inhabited in 1905 alleged that the noisy goings on were so distracting that sleep was impossible in the room where the murder took place.

"After the remains of his murdered body were found in a nearly beck and given a proper burial, his visits ceased," said Sue Scott.