Most Haunted film in Norfolk

The former RAF base at West Raynham will feature in the new series of Most Haunted Live.

CHRIS HILL

13 January 2010

During the second world war, many brave pilots flew to their doom from the bleak runways of RAF West Raynham.

But did the ghostly spirits of those lost airmen remain to patrol their now-deserted haunts?

That was the question facing the TV crews and professional ghost-hunters who have descended on the spooky setting to film the new series of Most Haunted Live.

The Living channel's paranormal favourite, hosted by former Blue Peter presenter Yvette Fielding, is being broadcast live from the desolate "Silent Town", near Fakenham, every night this week.

It should provide a terrifying telly treat for fans as they are guided through the abandoned church, hospital and accommodation blocks which once bustled with activity as pilots prepared for combat.

The eerie entertainment attracts a fanatical following but, while staunch believers see mediums trying to tempt lost souls from the afterlife, others view the unexplained events with a more measured cynicism.

Series editor Arch Dyson, who classes himself as an "open-minded sceptic", said the foreboding atmosphere was not created by TV trickery.

"We don't manufacture anything - we just go in there and observe," he said. "We were in one of the hangars with a piece of wreckage from a Lancaster bomber and they held a seance where it started banging and rattling around - that was quite spooky.

"It definitely happened but none of us can explain why. I told the cameras to get under the table and show me the hands so we can show the viewer at home as best we can."

Mr Dyson said his 120-strong team began arriving at the base a week ago, amid the worst weather of the winter, to unravel miles of fibre-optic cables and about 20 cameras for the giant outside broadcast.

He said: "The people in Norfolk have been brilliant. All the hotels, services and every element of the community have helped us all the way."

The sprawling West Raynham complex has stood desolate and abandoned since 1994 as a decaying monument to 86 pilots shot down during the war. Since then, there have been reports of mysterious ghost planes haunting the night skies.

The setting was chosen because it was derelict environment with a rich history which extends well before the base's 1940s heyday.

Most Haunted Live: The Silent Town is broadcast on satellite and cable channel Living from 9pm to midnight every night until Friday.