WHAT started a year ago as a project about local ghost stories ended up becoming a fascinating collection of centuries-old Somerset superstitions, beliefs, folk tales and stories of how people tried to protect their homes, families and livelihoods from evil spirits they believed to be lurking everywhere, writes Sara Badran. 

With constant curiosity surrounding ghost stories and their history, new book ‘Witches, Giants and a Ghost Cat – a travel guide to the mystery tales of Dunster’ is quite the read.

The book launch is at Dunster’s Luttrell Arms from 7pm on Saturday, September 30.

The book and a large selection of illustrations will be available to buy at the launch, when the author, Nina Dodd, and illustrator, Asia Wetherell, will be present.

Nina said: "There was quite a gap in the market for a new travel guide, but I knew right from the start that I wanted to do something a bit more exciting than just a traditional tourist guide.

“I have always been fascinated by the amount of ghost stories there are on the British Isles.

"Even though surveys show that nearly half of the British people believe in ghosts, there was a slight degree of hesitation at first to speak publicly about individuals’ otherworldly encounters.

"Once the word got around the area, though, and people realised that I was collecting the stories so that they would not be lost, I was very pleased by the amount of people who came forward to share their personal experiences and the stories they had heard.”

The book is divided into local history, superstitions and a walking guide to Dunster.