SPIRITS are on the menu once more as York pubs go Hallowe'en crazy. The evil, undead, ghouls, ghosts and apparitions will take to the bar next week as the mandatory apple bobbing and badly-carved pumpkins come out for their annual visit.

The Wonky Donkey (aka The Three Legged Mare, High Petergate, York) is one pub which will be thoroughly decked out in tacky decorations on Wednesday.

Anyone turning up in fancy dress will earn themselves a free drink with blood-red wine or a pint of Witchfinder General on offer.

And the punter in the most scary costume will scoop a case of Terrier or a trip round York Brewery for two.

Plenty of games will be played all evening, with the 'reduced-price drinks apple-bobbing' game bound to be a highlight.

There is also the promise of a bizarre jelly and coloured stick game, the rules of which seem a little complicated for Bar Talk.

Tomato Soup with green bits will be available all night as will Halloween-themed cocktails and punch. It should be an exciting night at the High Petergate boozer.

u EDWARD'S on George Hudson Street, York, is celebrating Hallowe'en on Wednesday with 'Bedevilled', a deliciously decadent affair where partygoers can really reach the devil in them by wearing a flashing pair of horns, reads the publicity blurb...

The fun starts at 8pm.

u THERE'S a new captain at the helm of The Ship, and he's set a course for happier times.

Sean Singleton and his wife Diane took over the Ship Inn at Acaster Malbis a month ago.

The pub, owned by Enterprise Inns, had previously been leased to the Fibbers group. But locals were unhappy about the changes it made, which included hiking the prices, and were staying away.

A succession of managers made matters worse. But when Sean was offered the chance to take over, he didn't hesitate.

He's since lowered the prices: John Smith's was selling at a whopping £2.10 a pint, and it now costs £1.75.

He's brought back the dartboard, and the darts team scored their first victory only this week.

"It's starting to turn around already," he said. "The locals are starting to come back in now they have got good ale at the bar."

As well as Smith's, the Ship sells Tetley's.

Sean should know what he's doing. His parents ran several local pubs, including the Cross Keys at Dunnington and the Blacksmiths Arms at Naburn.

He and Diane were previously hosts at the Bay Horse, Stillington, and the Board Inn, Knaresborough, before settling at the Thatched House, Stanley, near Wakefield, for seven years.

Sean is delighted to be at The Ship, and plans to stay there for at least 15 years. "We aren't moving on now. It's a nice place."

He has plans. The conservatory restaurant is to get a new look and a new name, The Captain's Top Deck. The Wheel House will become a steak house. Diane and the new chef Michael Lawrence are in the kitchen.

The Ship let in water during the last floods. In the refurb, the power points have been moved higher up, and Sean is determined to keep going should the worst happen again.

"Whatever happens, we'll be serving beer, even if we're in our waders."