Haunted hotspot

Mr Hodges has documented many curious facts about Christchurch and the surrounding areas in books, pamphlets and papers on subjects as diverse as the Cerne Giant and World War II coastal defences.

But in his latest volume, the former Mayor of Christchurch has delved into the less firm ground of the supernatural.

Ghosts of Christchurch Hundred, which was given its official launch at the Red House Museum - itself reputedly haunted - details dozens of claimed spectral sightings and experiences.

Christchurch Priory is the town's most famous building and is shrouded in ghostly mysteries.

The figure of a monk, thought to be John Draper, who was the last Prior and died in 1552, has been spotted on several occasions at the entrance to the Draper Chapel.

On one occasion a clergyman's son asked why the church still had monks when he saw a figure in monk's robes. And a former vicar walking through the church claimed to have witnessed a ghostly funeral procession of monks taking a coffin from the Priory to the graveyard.

Other ghostly happenings in the Priory include the sound of footsteps on a carpeted floor and the smell of incense, even though the burning scent had not been used in the church since the 16th century.

To take a tour of Christchurch's haunted spots would take a long time indeed so here are just some of the places where ghosts have been spotted: Priory House, Ye Olde George Inn, Town Bridge, The Regent Centre, Woolworths, The Library, The Thomas Tripp pub, The Red House Museum, Sopers Lane, Christchurch Conservative Club, the Royalty Inn, The Bailey Bridge Hotel, the former Christchurch Barracks, Christchurch Hospital, the Salisbury Arms and Highcliffe Castle.

Haunted spots across the area include:

Bournemouth: Hengistbury Head, where a ghostly horseman was seen on at least three occasions in the 1980s; the Pleasure Gardens, where a figure in a black hooded cloak with a nun's cowl was seen; Bournemouth Town Hall, and the premises of 2CR-FM, where a well-built figure frightened a night-time DJ.

Poole: Scalpens Court, where an old woman in grey has been seen walking across the courtyard, possibly 16th-century murder victim Agnes Beard; the High Street itself, where there have been many reported sightings of ghosts; the Crown Hotel, the Guildhall, King Charles Inn, St Anne's Hospital at Canford Cliffs and Old Harry Rocks, where the cries of a crew that sunk off Poole Harbour in the 16th century can still be heard.

Wimborne: Riverside Mews, where a girl raped and murdered by the miller is believed to haunt a property; Old Grammar School, where a grey nun has been seen crossing the road; and Kings House, which is said to be haunted by the Rev Percy Newell who lived there in the 19th century.

New Forest: The Old Vicarage and Cat and Fiddle Inn at Hinton, the Three Tuns at Bransgore, the Angel Inn at Lymington, the White Hart Inn in Ringwood, Rockbourne Roman Villa, where campers reported an evil atmosphere and heard the noise of cartwheels; and chanting Cistercian white monks and labouring brown monks at Beaulieu Abbey.

Mr Hodges has already collected further stories and material for a second volume of local ghost stories.

Mr Hodges, who is actively involved with the Dorset Earth Mysteries Group, is also a expert in the field of ley lines and believes that these, along with the rich history of the area, could be linked with the large number of reported hauntings.

But does he believe in ghosts?

The book draws no firm conclusions and Mr Hodges, who has had only one ghostly encounter himself, is keeping an open mind.

He told the Daily Echo: "Whether these are real events or just in your head, who can say?

"All I am is an amanuensis rather than an experiencer. I can only report what people tell me but there is ecclesiastical support for the presence of ghosts and there appears to be support from science in the field of parapyschology."