SPOOKY family fun is offer next month as the annual Pumpkin Path returns to Knutsford.

The event is again being organised by the town council in partnership with local businesses, and takes place on Thursday, October 31 between 4pm and 7pm.

Children and parents will be scouring King Street, Minshull Street and Regent Street shops and restaurants to find 11 carved pumpkins spelling out ‘Pumpkin Path’ before submitting their entries at the spooky post boxes.

Savills Estate Agents and Mere Day Nursery are event sponsors, Bella Marketing and Design have produced the flyers, Collective Entertainment Bureau is providing the characters and Demon Events is decorating Wallwood.

Buddha Group is providing traffic management, event founder Julia Chard of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop is helping with the organisation and pumpkins will be provided by Knutsford Market Hall trader Jonty’s Fruit and Veg.

Fuchsia School of Dancing will be showcasing its dancing talents and Knutsford Beats will be singing spooky tunes.

Knutsford Market Hall will stay open for apple bobbing and face painting, with Morgan Edwards Fine Wines offering mulled wine and the Market Café offering tasty themed treats.

Tatton Photography will be providing a spooky backdrop for photos to be bought on the night, and there will be certificates given to the best-dressed children and adults.

Savills will have a large autumnal-themed ‘photo frame’ on King Street which trick or treaters can use to capture their Halloween photographs.

Rebecca Postles from at Savills said: “As we approach our one-year anniversary since opening in Knutsford, we are really pleased to have the opportunity to sponsor this year’s Pumpkin Path.

“Events like this bring our community together and we are very much looking forward to being part of the festivities this year.

“We will be handing out Savills goody bags at the registration points in which goodies given at the path’s completion (or along the way) can be stored, and we will be hosting a spooky storytelling corner in a marquee in Wallwood. This can be when they’ve completed the Pumpkin Path or at any time.”

Knutsford town centre manager Sandra Curties said: “We have a huge list to thank already, including Little Waitrose, Knutsford Bloom, Knutsford Lions and Knutsford Hosts for providing marshalling help on the night.

“If any local business wants to get involved, please call me on 01565 653929. Posters will be put up around town soon and look out for flyers in schoolbook bags before October half-term. Entry forms will be given out on the night.

“To alleviate the financial burden on shops providing sweets on the night and keep the event free for all to enjoy, there will be an ‘I survived the Pumpkin Path’ bookmark and a bag of sweets given out at the end to all those who complete the Path.

“Many shops will still be giving out treats, but there will also be an emphasis on tricks this year. The sweets have been provided by Swizzels Matlow.”

There will be a light-hearted competition to find Pumpkin Path 2018’s Best Dressed Window. People can vote for their favourite on entry cards they collect during the evening.

King Street will be closed from the junction with Church Walk to the junction with Drury Lane, and Minshull Street will be closed. Buddha Group will be providing a full traffic management service.

There will also be parking pay suspension from midnight on Wednesday, October 30 from the King Street junction with Tatton Street to junction with Drury Lane to enable two-way traffic to enable residents’ access to be maintained. Affected residents will be contacted.