A winged skull and tales of tortured martyrs and ghostly monks are part of a eerie guided tour.

The University of Hertfordshire is holding a Supernatural St Albans Halloween Tour on October 31 to explore the magical and spectral history of the city.

The tour has been developed by Dr Sam George, senior lecturer in literature at the University of Hertfordshire, in collaboration with post-doctoral researcher, Dr Kaja Franck.

It forms part of the University’s Open Graves, Open Minds project, which is well known for its imaginative events and symposia.

Topics have included vampires and the undead in modern culture and most recently a conference on werewolves, shapeshifters and feral humans.

Dr Sam George, convenor of the Open Graves, Open Minds project at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “What we have uncovered is remarkable. St Albans is home to tortured martyrs, ghostly monks, pagan Gods, grotesque carvings, an ancient dragon or wyrm’s lair, succubi, winged skulls, witches, Wicca communities, folklore rituals and more.

“One of the highlights of the tour will be the uncanny winged skull or ‘death’s head’ in St Albans Abbey. It represents death taking flight and the soul’s journey to the afterlife. This has become a symbol of studying Open Graves with an Open Mind, which is what we aim to do on the project.”

The tour will start at 4pm from the Clock Tower in St Albans. It will last 90 minutes. The tour costs £8 per person. To book your place, visit http://www.opengravesopenminds.com/events/ogom-spectral-st-albans-halloween-tour-booking-now/