KNUTSFORD families are being offered new-look spooky fun in the run-up to Halloween.

The annual Pumpkin Path usually runs on Halloween evening with entertainment and giveaways.

However because of the coronavirus pandemic it is being modified to an informal Covid-secure trail which families can enjoy at their leisure over a week.

The event will run from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31, and there will be no road closures or formal event with entertainment on Halloween night.

Instead, the event will be extended to include the whole town centre and stretch across several days to allow families to pick a time which is safer for them.

Youngsters can this year scour Princess Street and Canute Place as well as King Street, Minshull Street and Regent Street to search for 15 pumpkins.

The event is run with town centre businesses, who will be creating spooky window displays, and families can vote for their favourite windows in the best dressed window competition during the event.

Knutsford Guardian:

The Project 53 team at last year's event

Decorations will be placed throughout the town centre to add to the spooky atmosphere.

Entry forms will be available from locations throughout the town centre. Completed entry forms can be dropped off at designated points and will be entered into the prize draw.

There will also be a special pumpkin carving competition running alongside the event.

Families can send in photos of their pumpkins carved at home, which will be uploaded to Facebook, and a selection will be chosen by the Mayor of Knutsford to win special prizes.

Entries can be sent to jill.webb@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk in the lead up to October 31.

Families are asked to avoid gathering at the usual event times on Halloween on King Street as no road closures will be in place, so families should take care of oncoming traffic.

Families will be welcome to attend the path whenever suits them to avoid mass gatherings in the town centre, as the pumpkins will be in place for the whole week.

No on-street entertainment will take place this year due to social distancing requirements.

Attendees can dress up and send their photos to Knutsford Town Council, which will share the photos on its social media platforms.

Town council events officer Alex Brown said: “We are delighted to be bringing this informal version of our very popular Pumpkin Path event to the town centre this Halloween.

“We would ask that all regular attendees make themselves aware of the changes this year, and do not attend on Halloween evening expecting the usual event.

“We would particularly discourage visitors who usually travel from further afield for the event from travelling on Halloween to Knutsford, as the usual event will not be taking place.

“We know many will be disappointed by the changes, however this format will allow Knutsford families to attend and enjoy the Pumpkin Path at leisure at a time they feel is safer for them during the week.

“Spooky window displays can be enjoyed throughout the town centre as we have extended the reach of this year’s event to include all our wonderful town centre streets.

“We’d ask that all parents ensure their little ones are supervised at all times. as there will be no road closures for this year’s event.

“Families can also enjoy our pumpkin carving competition, and we can’t wait to see your spooky creations.”