A former senior police officer has returned to patrol the streets of Windsor and Eton, but this time he is hot on the trail of ghosts, rather than criminals.

Former assistant chief constable Brian Langston who retired in 2010, was, for many years, the police commander for East Berkshire and is now writing a book on the Ghosts of Windsor and Eton.

Brian said: “I have always loved a mystery and during my 30 years of working in this historically-rich part of the country I collected a wealth of stories about unexplained events and ghostly goings-on which warrant sharing with a wider audience. This book will focus on ghostly phenomena in Windsor and Eton and the surrounding villages and I will be using the same investigative skills that I used when in the force namely, curiosity, objectivity and open-mindedness.

“We have over 1,000 years of turbulent history on our doorstep and so it is hardly surprising that this corner of England has more reported hauntings than anywhere else in the world. I have details of at least a hundred different unexplained apparitions and supernatural activities in Windsor and Eton alone, some of which have never previously been reported.

“While the highly publicised and fascinating stories of the ghosts of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I can be considered the ‘celebrities’ of the supernatural world, it is often the very private events experienced in the home or workplace which have the greatest impact on those who witness them.

“I have first-hand accounts from a number of people who have been very shaken by their paranormal encounters. My assessment was they were very credible witnesses who have had very real, albeit extraordinary, experiences which often had a profound effect upon them. For example my research uncovered a family living in Eton High Street who spent a night in terror listening to a murder being re-enacted in an adjoining room which they knew to be empty. Incidents such as this defy rational explanation.”

Brian said: “I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has a paranormal story to tell about the Windsor and Eton area. Many people do not talk about their personal experiences for fear of being ridiculed and so, of course, confidentiality of address and identity are guaranteed. Unfortunately, however, I can no longer offer witness protection!” Contact Brian at: briandlangston@gmail.com

Rebecca Curley