CHILDREN have been getting into the spooky spirit of Halloween by making their own masks.

Blenheim Palace is hosting a series of Halloween-themed events during this week’s half-term holiday.

Among the children who have been creating their own pumpkin lanterns are three-year-old Sebby Cobner-Vale, from Abingdon, who painted a colourful mask, as did his twin sister Immy and older sister Seren, six.

Their father, Patric Vale, said: “We go to Blenheim quite a lot and thought we would take the children along for the Halloween events.

“But he did have a great time with all the colours. All three will wear their masks on Halloween when they go out trick or treating.”

Visitors to the stately home and gardens in Woodstock can also follow a trail of creepy riddles and clues in the Pleasure Gardens maze or take a spine-tingling tour of the State Rooms in the palace.

For full details see blenheimpalace.com

Witney’s Wychwood Brewery, in The Crofts, is hosting a night of Halloween-themed fun tomorrow with its annual Grand Lighting of the Pumpkins.

Entry to the event, which runs from 6pm to 9pm, is free.

Visitors are invited to bring along their pumpkin lanterns and try pumpkin-carving.

There will also be fancy dress competitions, face painting and a hog roast, and a bar selling the brewery’s own Hobgoblin ale. For details see wychwood.co.uk

The Woolgate Centre in Witney is running a trick or treat event for children aged 12 and under tomorrow, with Halloween goody bags and prizes for the best Halloween-themed fancy dress outfits.

A Halloween party to raise cash for mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind will take place on Friday at the Masons Arms, in Park Road, North Leigh.

The event, which starts at 6.30pm, will feature music, face painting, apple bobbing, fancy dress, tombola and a raffle.

There will be prizes for the best fancy dress costumes.

For tickets, which cost £3 for adults and £2 for children, call Karen Whelan on 07835 109617 or Jill May on 07867 724889.

  • West Oxfordshire District Council has issued a reminder that, after Halloween is over, pumpkins can be recycled as food waste, either cut up and put into waste bins, or left whole and placed with the bin on collection day.