Nothing adds local colour like a good ghost story. Here are a few from Slough and the surrounding area.

Mr Jerman may have murdered up to 60 people in this way, and the Inn is said to be haunted by the ghost of his final victim, Thomas Cole. Mr Cole's horse escaped, leading to Mr Jerman's discovery and execution. Ever since, a ghostly figure has been seen wandering the Inn.

Still in Colnbrook, the site of the old Toll House, which was demolished in 1962, is reputedly haunted by the ghost of John Pearce, a former keeper who was shot by Dick Turpin. His spirit is said to walk at Halloween.

Upton Court was also said to have a ghost. For many years, domestic servants reported seeing the ghost of a woman in a bloodstained nightdress walking in the grounds, always on Friday nights. However, it has not been seen for many years now. Another ghostly lady could occasionally be seen in the grounds of Baylis House, but her appearances were not welcome as they were supposed to be a bad omen.

During the Second World War, some of the almshouses in Langley were used to house evacuees. This was not popular with one of the residents, Mrs Briggs. She argued that they were for the elderly of the parish, and declared that if she were to die she would haunt the houses until they were returned to their proper use. She did die, and a young couple in one of the houses began to experience poltergeist activity, with furniture being moved and bedclothes being pulled off during the night. Eventually an exorcism was performed, after which the ghostly activity ceased.