A Halloween competition for children is being launched in Horley which traders hope will be a scream.

The Horley Ghost Hunt, drawing together 47 shops and businesses in the town in a spooky show of unity, is being held for the first time from this Friday (October 28) through to Monday (October 31).

The free-to-enter competition, in which children accompanied by an adult will be challenged to find the ghosts on show in the participating stores and log them on a ghost hunt form, is the brainchild of Andy Parr, owner of The Party Pad shop.

Andy, of Copthorne, who opened his party goods shop in January into the teeth of the economic downturn, said: “Being a family-run business, we are always looking at ways to engage with the local community and to partner other local companies.”

He said: “It's the first time the competition's been held and it's being run in conjunction with Horley and District Chamber of Commerce and Horley Retailers.

“The response has been really good and it's the sort of event you can expect to see, provided it's a success, at future times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter.

“It's pulled quite a few of the shops together.”

Ghost Hunt entry forms are available from The Party Pad in High Street, Horley, and they will announce and contact the competition winner.

Children will win a treat from The Party Pad on completion of the ghost hunt, and will be entered into a draw with a £50 costume among the prizes to be won.