The new licensees of Ledbury's Horseshoe Inn are discovering that they can never be completely alone in an old pub that comes with its own ghostly legends.

Paul Grubb and Katina Lukaris took on the Homend watering hole in February and they are planning a celebration of their first six months behind the bar.

Miss Lukaris knew that the 17th Century half-timbered inn had a reputation for spooky goings-on and it wasn't long before she discovered more.

Firstly, Ledbury's Ghost Walk guide Elisabeth Galvin told them that, according to local legend, the spirit of a little old lady could be found in the cellar.

Miss Lukaris invited Ms Galvin to visit the cellar, without telling her an intercom system had been installed.

Miss Lukaris said: "I started whispering and gave her a bit of a start."

But the joke was soon on Miss Lukaris, who explained: "When you are alone behind the bar, late at night, you can sometimes hear footsteps walking about upstairs; quite loud footsteps, actually. I've been quite nervous about it."

The pub is going well for the partners, both of whom had no previous experience of the trade.

Mr Grubb had worked for BT for 20 years and Miss Lukaris was a financial advisor.

They decided to invest in a dream and bought a long-term lease on the pub, owned by the Enterprise Brewery.

The beer garden has been improved with planters, a terrace and barbecue area, and the pub came third in its category for this year's Ledbury in Bloom.