Interactive map highlights scariest Halloween displays

Devilish displays for the most daring trick-or-treaters

Those looking for a good scare this Halloween can find the spookiest displays in their area on a new interactive map.

Natasha Marriott came up with the idea after seeing the crowds coming to ogle the ghouls in her garden in Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, get bigger every year.

Fellow fiend enthusiasts can now add their own homes to an online map to make sure there are scares a-plenty for those out trick-or-treating.

Ms Marriot says some of her sinister mannequins are now firm favourites among local thrill seekers.

The jumping lady is a firm favourite among Natasha Marriott's neighbours

She told BBC Bristol her display snowballed after she bought a coffin online.

“This (display) really got big in 2018 and it has just been getting bigger and better.

“Some people love it, some people are a little bit scared of the jumping lady who jumps up and says ‘boo’ .”

“She’s scared a few people, but people do come back and they love her from then on,” she added.

Dale Strong's started his display for his youngest son

She now sees "family after family" peering into her garden over the Halloween period until the display comes down on 1 November.

Ms Marriot uses her display to raise money Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, The Grand Appeal.

Dale Strong began decorating his house in Yate after realising his youngest son, who has autism, had “taken a shine to Halloween”.

“We were shopping one day and he really, really liked the decorations so we put a few up for him and it’s just gone from there.”

“The neighbours started looking over and saying ‘this is fantastic’ and it’s grown from there over the last four years.

On Saturday nights over the Halloween period, Mr Strong even hosts a mini-disco for the neighbourhood children.

“It’s got a bit out of hand now but we are still going to keep adding things - until I get a notice from the council saying its causing a hazard, I’m not going to stop,” he said.

Mr Strong’s house attracts 30 to 40 visitors a night, and he collects money for a local special educational needs school.