Eastham man who made his home into his own Halloween house of horrors turns his attention to Birkenhead Priory

Oct 26 2011 Birkenhead News

AN Eastham man who made his home into his very own Hallowe’en house of horrors has turned his attentions to Birkenhead Priory.

After four years of converting the ground floor of his house on Kelsall Avenue into ghoulish gallery of eerie exhibits, Leigh Bufton – and his long-suffering family – decided it was time for a change.

This year’s event, Karnevil of Chaos will be held in the grounds of the 12th Century Priory.

Horror movie fan Mr Bufton, 39, said: “It came to the point where the whole downstairs of our house was in complete darkness for seven weeks.

“I felt that it was too much for anyone to cope with for that amount of time, let alone myself!

“We didn’t want to just stop doing it as we always get a great turnout and the money we raise goes to really good causes.”

The father-of-four’s creepy creations have raised more than £3,000 for Clatterbridge Cancer Research and The Alzheimer’s Society and this year’s proceeds will go to the same charities.

His house of horror displays were inspired by Halloween parties held at the Bufton house.

Leigh says they became “bigger and bigger” and attracted family and friends from as far away as Ireland.

He recalled: “It came to the point where we thought why not open it up to the public and ask for a donation for charity.”

Although Leigh, a security supervisor, is keeping his latest creepy creations under wraps, scary sights in previous years have included a straitjacketed madman, a spider room and a recreation of a scene from The Exorcist.

Like any good horror sequel, he says this year’s attraction will be bigger, better and more terrifying than ever.

He said: “With the event taking place outside in the stables, it’s got a really scenic and eerie feel about it.

“Expect the attractions to be on a different level and scale than our previous Halloween celebrations.”

Karnevil of Chaos runs from October 27 to 29 between 6.30 and 9.30pm.

There will also be other entertainment including amusements and stalls.

Admission is £3.