A Swindon man with a lifelong love of Halloween has unveiled his spookiest display so far.

Phillip Croucher has spent years building up an impressive collection of devilish decorations and ghoulish goodies to show off his adoration of all things horror.

The 54-year-old loves the October occasion so much that he got married on Halloween many years ago.

He boasted that the latest display autumnal attraction outside and inside his Waggoner Close home in Abbey Meads, which has taken weeks to prepare and put together, is the best yet.

Mr Croucher said: "I adore Halloween, I go really over the top with it, I'm known as the crazy Halloween man.

"I've always liked Gothic ornaments and witches and werewolves and vampires., all those unusual and spiritual creatures, I can't get enough of them.

"My mum was a big horror fan so maybe it comes from her.

"I'm jealous of how the Americans do it, I love the stuff they have, it's out of this world. 

"I enjoy going out trick-or-treating with my children, dressed up in costumes, and I enjoy making these displays and seeing how people react."

The garden has ravens perched on black fencing, a Gothic archway, warning signs, a massive cobweb over the front door, an animatronic three-headed dog guarding the entrance, a scarecrow surrounded by pumpkins, glow-in-the-dark stickers over the windows, bony hands and skulls rising from gravestones - and a skeleton peeking out of the wheelie bin.

Painted skeletal footsteps lead the way inside, where cobwebs cover the hallway, purple lights and horror-themed posters adorn the walls, a giant spider perches on the bannister, and tables full of skulls, jars, books and other occult knick-knacks fill the floor space.

When the Adver visited, a neighbour's cat had stopped by to settle on a chair and complete the look of the place.

Phillip's sister Lara helped get everything ready.

She added: "All his neighbours know how big on Halloween he is and look forward to seeing what he's going to do each year.

"I carved a few pumpkins for his wedding day - the reception was themed around Halloween."

On the evening itself, a mist machine should add some extra atmosphere as witches' cauldrons bubble away. 

 

 

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