A FAMILY'S annual haunted house show will return to Radcliffe for the sixth consecutive year despite the 2017 event being brought to an abrupt end by "a gang of teenagers".

Every year, dozens of people from across the town visit the Mortensons' family home on the Moss Shaw estate to see their popular Halloween display.

Sisters Bethanie and Ellie Mortenson are the spooky stars of the performance, dressing in costume and make-up to scare visitors with their Woman in Black-inspired act.

Bethanie, aged 18, said: "We just love doing it and seeing the community come together. It is amazing to see people's reactions."

In 2017, the show had to be cut short after a group of teenagers egged the actors and the family home.

The family posted on the Spotted:Radcliffe Facebook page to ask the community whether to go ahead this year. They received dozens of comments from supporters calling for the show to go on.

The family has called on members of the community to help them by providing additional security at tonight's performance.

Mum Donna Mortenson said: "Last year, the girls were really upset because a gang of teenagers took it too far. We were egged and the group grabbed their sweets. They kept coming back which spoilt it."

She added: "We hope tonight goes well. It would be great if people would support us and provide some extra security."

Holy Cross College pupil Bethanie will dress in costume as the mysterious spectre from the Woman in Black film adaptation of Susan Hill's 1983 novel, sitting on a rocking chair in the front garden at her home in Winston Close, and scaring passers-by.

Meanwhile, her younger sister, 12-year-old Ellie who attends Prestwich Arts College, will hand out sweets to members of the audience.

The house and front lawn have been adorned with zombie posters, tombstones and cobwebs in advance of the event tonight to create a haunted look.

Mrs Mortenson said: "My daughters both enjoy drama so this seemed the perfect way to use their talents and engage the community.

"My eldest looks very creepy dressed up as the Woman in Black. We have scary music playing and we dress our home with spooky decorations.

"Visitors have to go up to them to collect their sweets. They scream at the older visitors but not at the younger children.

"The community absolutely love it. We didn't realise how popular the show was until last year. We had between 50 and 60 people here at any one time."

The show is due to run between 7pm and 9.30pm.