GHOSTS and ghouls of all ages paraded through Portland over the weekend for a spooky Hallowe’en party.

Mini monsters marched along a pumpkin-lined route from Portland Castle to the island’s marina dressed as vampires, witches and warlocks for a night of games, fireworks and music.

Thousands of people took part in the parade led by island mayor David Thurston dressed as a vampire and town councillor Sandy West as a witch.

The celebration of all things scary was organised by Yvonne Beven of the Revive Portland Group, who also dressed as a witch for the occasion.

She said: “I was thrilled with the turnout.

“This is only the second year we’ve done it and parents asked us to put it on a littler earlier this year for the children.

“One family from up north who were staying at Durdle Door stopped me on the way out and said that they will definitely be back again next year.

“We want to make the event even bigger and better.”

She estimated that the numbers matched the amount of people, 3,500, who attended last year’s extravaganza.

Yvonne added: “Thanks go to Ned Wiltshire and the team from Quest, who did the fireworks.

“They were absolutely fantastic.”

Jack Vaughan, 14, led a cohort of monsters and witches dressed as a vampire.

He said: “We came to this last year so it’s good to be here again.

“I wanted to dress as a vampire but I can’t really smile or talk too well in these teeth but it is a really good night.”

Steve Moverley dressed as Beetlejuice, accompanied by Jasmine Jackobson and Sean Weafer as zombies and Leah Jackobson as a witch.

Steve said: “Leah made me this outfit earlier, although I did ask for a 30-inch waist on it.

“I think she’s added a few.”

Leah said: “This is the first year we’ve come down to this and I’m freezing, although everyone seems to be getting in the spirit of things. We saw this party advertised in the Dorset Echo and thought it would be good to come along.”

Jan Ray accompanied her friend Natalie Damen and their children Phoebe Damen and Mollie Ray dressed as witches.

Jan said: “We put a lot of effort into the kids’ costumes and I think all we were hearing all day was: ‘Can we go to the Hallowe’en party?’ “We weren’t able to make it last year because we were away but it’s really good.”

Coun Sandy West said: “I think this just goes to show what the people of Portland can do when they get together.

“Last year was the first time we did this but hopefully we will keep it going year after year now.”