SPOOKY things will be happening at Curraghs Wildlife Park in Ballaugh next week.

The park is teaming up with the local charity Crossroads Caring for Carers to put on a full day of Hop-tu-Naa inspired activities on Saturday, October 29.

Visitors to the park will find a ghost train, trick or treat treasure hunt, creepy crawly talks, lantern making and face painting on offer.

Local drama and dance groups will transform into ghosts, ghouls and creatures from the grave to take part in zombie walks and the creepy crawly talks will be conducted by the Friends of the Wildlife Park group.

Lantern making will start from 10am. Visitors will be able to weave butterflies and bats in the park's summerhouse and there will also be paper lanterns, masks and colouring for younger children.

Turnip carving will also start at 10am and visitors will be able to turn the vegetables into terrifying Jack-o-Lanterns in the play area.

Tina Jauncey, the park's duty manager, said: "It promises to be a fun day on October 29 with lots of Hop-tu-Naa activities laid on by Crossroads.

"We are very pleased to collaborate over these special activities and hope it raises lots of money for them while bringing additional visitors to the park.
 
"‘Children in fancy dress on the Saturday will have free admission so we look forward to the park being full of ghosts, ghouls and witches."

Any children in fancy dress are invited to take part in the fancy dress competition where there are prizes for the top three costumes.

A special Bugs n Grubs ice cream made by Davisons will be on sale in the Lakeside Café where there will also be face painting, glitter tattoos and a raffle to win a mountain bike.

Alex Wilson, fundraising events co-ordinator at Crossroads Caring for Carers, said: "Crossroads cares for over 700 families providing over 100,000 hours of respite and meaningful care every year on the Island.

"The funds raised through events like this one enable Crossroads to continue to care. Three in five people have a chance of becoming a carer at least one in their lifetime so Crossroads' work is vital in supporting the carer and the community."

Curraghs Wildlife Park will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, October 29. Children in fancy dress will get free admission and anyone travelling to the park by bus will receive a 10 per cent discount off the cost of their tickets.

The trick or treat treasure hunt will run from Monday, October 24, to Saturday, October 29.