Step inside for some ghostly goings-on

What happens behind the doors of a museum when they are locked and bolted for the night?

What lurks in the shadows behind the artefacts that carry whispers of our past?

Those who have watched Ben Stiller's hit film A Night at the Museum may even entertain fantasies of artefacts suddenly coming to life and roaming its shadowy corridors.

This weekend, Culture 24 website is offering visitors the chance to unlock the mystery with its first Museums at Night event.

Culture 24, a cultural events website, has organised Museums at Night to coincide with a Europe-wide event. La Nuit des Muses sees guided tours take place in museums across Europe, in cities including Paris, Rome and Madrid, with visitors gaining access to the venues after dark.

Now culture-lovers in Yorkshire will be able to join in the excitement with 16 venues opening their doors past dusk.

Harewood House is one of the major attractions offering visitors the chance to experience history in a new light, with candle-lit tours through the house.

Aimee Rawson, marketing officer at Harewood, says: "This is the first time we've opened up the house and its gardens to the public after hours and it's a unique opportunity for them to discover its fascinating history with the added atmospheric touch of evening light.

"It is an event sure to delight all the senses, and include live piano music and sumptuous food among the beautiful setting of Harewood."

Museums at Night offers a different perspective on some of Yorkshire's most loved attractions.

Rosie Clarke, marketing co-ordinator for Culture 24 says: "The purpose of the event is to get people to discover the culture and heritage on their doorsteps. It's great for people who may not be able to visit museums during their normal opening hours."

The event, funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, replaces Museums and Galleries month, traditionally held at the end of May.

Rosie says: "The concept was originally part of the Museums and Galleries month that ran for six years. However, the late-night openings proved to be some of the most-visited events during the month and the idea was a catchy concept for a stand-alone event."

Highlights in Yorkshire include a series of ghost-hunting events across the region. Rosie says: "There are lots of exciting events to choose from; at the National Media Museum, Bradford, visitors can join in a Spooky Sleepover and the Royal Air Force Museum in Holptom at Withernsea are even inviting psychic mediums to their site."

The Royal Air Force Museum has become a mecca for psychic mediums and members of the public in search of the paranormal, after a series of ghostly sightings.

James Fox, Commanding Officer at RAF Holmpton, says: "There have been a huge number of paranormal discoveries at the airbase as it has been in use since the Cold War.

"It has become one of the most visited sites by paranormal investigators in the UK, with leading physic mediums including Phil Wyman from Most Haunted hosting events here.

"The spirits of former airmen have been seen on the site as well as a figure of a ghostly nurse who appears on a regular basis."

And for sceptics who think that nothing will go bump in the night, Fox says that he, too, was once a disbeliever.

"The evidence of paranormal activity at the base could not be ignored," he says.

The Museums at Night events runs tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. For full details log on to www.culture24.org.uk

NIGHT SHIFT AT THE REGION'S MUSEUMS

Maritime Museum, Hull: Psychic Steve Kneeshaw will lead a night-time hunt for ghosts. May 15, 16, 10.30pm- 2.30am.

Magna Science Museum, Rotherham: Enjoy a pie and pea supper. May 16.

Scarborough Art Gallery: Try your hand at after-hours speed drawing. May 15, 5pm-9pm

Harewood House, Leeds: Twilight tours of the house and gardens, accompanied by live piano music. May 15, 6pm-10pm.

Epworth Old Rectory, Lincolnshire: Candle-lit tour by guides in 18th century costume. May 15, 8pm- 10pm.

RAF Holmpton: Investigate the paranormal at one of Britain's most haunted sites. May 15, 16 8.30pm-4am.

Nunnington Hall, York: Discover creatures of the night on garden tour. May 15, 5pm-10pm.

Weston Park, Sheffield: Create a Midnight feast at the Food Glorious Food Exhibition. May 15, 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Bagshaw Museum, Batley: Explore original Bagshaw residents, the Sheards family. May 14, 7pm-9.30pm

The World of James Herriot Museum, Thirsk: Creative writing workshop. May 14, 5pm-midnight.

Ferens Art Gallery, Hull: Cultural entertainment, May 14, 5pm -8pm.

Ingrow Museum of Rail, Keighley: Explore the vintage railway carriages, featured in more than 60 TV programmes and films. May 14, 15, 16, 4pm-9pm

National Media Museum, Bradford: Take part in an overnight adventure at the Museums at Night Sleepover. May 14, 15, 6.30pm-10am.

Discovery Centre, Leeds: Ghostly goings-on with a host of family friendly activities. May 14, 7pm- 9pm.

The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds: Live performance created by University of Leeds Performing Art students. May 14, 4.30pm-6.30pm.

York Minster: Candlelit tour of the historic building. May 14, 7pm to 11pm.

Victoria Jackson