THOUSANDS descended on Marsh Farm for some ghoulish entertainment.

Marsh Farm, in Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, held its fourth annual wizards and witches event, which was attended by thousands of families in fancy dress.

James Martin, of Marsh Farm said: “We’ve entertained just over 21,000 people. It’s been the best week at Marsh Farm in over 35 years.

“The festival has just grown and grown and grown.

“There was a free pumpkin for every child and we got through about 17,000.

“The kids could take the pumpkin home or carve it right here on the farm.

“As it’s that spooky time of year, our corn maze also become haunted.

“You had to follow the clues around the maze to find the ingredients to the secret potion – while watching out for the mischievous witches who will to steer you in the wrong direction. We were also sold out of many of our shows.”

The fourth event offered half term entertainment through last week.

Mr Martin added: “This event that we created has really grown into something I can only see it growing even more in the years to come.”

Youngsters also had a frightfully good time as they got stuck into a range of freakishly fun Halloween activities at Barleylands.

Children at the venue, in Barleylands Road, Billericay, kicked off the fun by taking part in a special ‘dark’ arts and crafts day while wearing terrifying fancy dress costumes.

They made biscuits and decorated them with chilling icing designs such as ghosts, witches and vampires.

They then took part in a mass pumpkin-carving event, with every child being given a free pumpkin to create their own Jack O’Lantern.

Kids then got to play with the animals, including snakes and other creepy crawlies brought to the venue by Snakes Alive.

The farm also ran some “spooky nights” over the Halloween weekend, allowing those who were brave enough to venture out into the maze to be chased by ghosts and ghouls.

Meanwhile, at Langdon Nature Reserve, in Third Avenue, Lower Dunton Road, budding Dr Frankensteins used recycled material to bring their own ghoulish creations to life in the form of puppets.

The drop-in event proved to be very popular and did not provoke any angry locals armed with pitchforks.