Tuesday, November 2, 2004

A ROAD that runs along the Norfolk coast has been named among the most haunted in Britain.

The A12 between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, which is said to be haunted.

The A12 is famed for motorists spotting ghostly apparitions as they drive between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

The spookiest stretch is near Hopton-on-Sea where there have been numerous scary sightings over the years, according to paranormal experts.

A grey haired old man who has been spotted crossing the road near the turn off to Lound supposedly haunts it.

Several motorists have reported hitting him, but when they get out of their car there is no sign of him anywhere.

Other sightings involve a hovering grey mist, which gradually forms into the 'grey man' complete with long coat and boots.

The road has now been named among the top five on a new definitive list of Britain's most haunted roads, compiled by some of the country's leading ghosthunters.

Ivan Bunn, a ghost and folklore expert from Lowestoft, said: "It doesn't surprise me a lot of people have reported seeing his stooped figure.

"I've never seen anything myself, but there have been many sightings, from the 1930s right up to the present day, of this figure of an old man.

"It's supposed to be the ghost of a postman who lived in Hopton and who dropped down dead at the side of the road in 1899.

"He was based at Gorleston post office but part of his round took him through Hopton. He was reportedly warned by his doctor to stop work because he had a heart condition, but he carried on because he thought it was his duty to deliver the post."

Ian Addicoat, president of the Paranormal Research Organisation, who researched the list for Vauxhall, said: "Motorists are spending more time in their cars, which means roadside sightings are on the increase."

MOST HAUNTED ROADS

A229 — Blue Bell Hill, Kent;
A616 — Stocksbridge Bypass, South Yorkshire;
A75 — Annan, Dumfriesshire;
A361 — Nunney to Frome, Somerset;
A12 — Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk;
A15 — Ruskington, Lincolnshire;
A23 — London to Brighton;
Holt Bridge — Wrexham, Wales;
High Street — Prestbury, Gloucester;
A30 — Cornwall.

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