The Washington pub ghost who wore a waistcoat and glowed for a visitor

A Wearside pub found itself in a top guide almost 40 years ago.

And it was all because of a landlord who wore a waistcoat while he spooked his own hostelry.

It happened in Washington and earned the Havelock Arms a place in the prestigious 1987 Egon Ronay Haunted Pub Guide.

Tall and glowing

The person who first encountered the spirit was Brian Proudlock who was only staying at the pub in Fatfield Village while the landlord was away on holiday.

Brian woke one night to find a tall man standing over him. He appeared to be glowing and was wearing an unusual waistcoat.

Inquiries discovered the previous landlord was tall and always wore an embroidered waistcoat.

Thumping which came from empty rooms

The riverside hostelry was given a two-star rating which was just one short of the highest grade in the 1987 guide.

Egon Ronay said the Havelock Arms was haunted by the Havelock Ghost - a tall man wearing a waistcoat.

The Sunderland Echo called in to see for itself in 1987.

Glasses flew off the shelves

Landlady Audrey Goff had not met the man but she had heard a lot of thumping and banging from empty rooms.

She also claimed to have seen glasses flying off the shelves and smashing at her feet - and they had not been thrown by angry customers.

Maybe you know of a pub with an equally impressive spirited story.

Tell us about the best Wearside pub for lovers of ghosts, by emailing [email protected]