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UK News

Popular ghost tour stopped after vicar claims it's 'bordering on the occult'

by Tola Mbakwe

Mike James, who has organised the Cotswold Ghost Tours in Prestbury, Gloucestershire for four years, said he was forced to end the tours after being harassed by Rev Nick Bromfield.

James said the vicar, who's the rector of north Cheltenham, left numerous voicemails and emails complaining about the tours. In one email, Rev Bromfield, said he "no longer wished to have St Mary's [church] associated with the promotion of ghost tours".

Rev Bromfield told the BBC James hadn't asked permission to use "numerous photographs" of the church on the tour's website.

He added: "Several people spoke to me about their concern that they are unchristian and bordering on the occult.

"I agree with those concerns."

The tour's website promises customers "gripping stories of the paranormal" and a tour that brings to life "the mesmerising, but creepy myths and fables" of the area.

The vicar also raised the concern tour guides possibly not having the right documentation to work with minors.

James said the photos of the church are only a "small part of the website" and "we make it clear we don't take unaccompanied minors".

Rev Bromfield has denied harassing James and said that his calls and emails were met with no response.

A statement on the tour's website said: "There has been some concern from the local parish church in Prestbury about the proximity of our tours to the church building, as well as the nature of our tours, and how we promote what we offer. Along with this, the business has new areas of activity that have proved more popular, so the difficult decision has been taken to cease running ghost tours from November 30th and to close down this arm of the business."

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