A DORSET couple were left spooked by an encounter with ghosts on one of the world's most famous ships - on hallowe'en night.

John and Delysia Spurden from Verwood spent four nights on the Queen Mary, now a floating hotel, at Long Beach, California, recently as part of a round-the-world trip to mark the 50th anniversary of their engagement.

During their stay the couple were sat on the bed when they witnessed mist coming through an air vent in their cabin followed by a strange sound.

Mr Spurden, 73, said: "We thought it was the fire alarm and we panicked, grabbed the passports, money and tickets and went to reception.

"Reception said there was no fire on board the ship so we eventually turned to go back.

"But as we walked down the long corridor I saw a strange lady of middle age dressed in black and asked her if she saw anything and she just gestured 'no'.

"Then I turned round and saw a man around six feet tall dressed in dungarees with the British flag on the left-hand pocket and I asked if there were any problems down in the ship.

"He said there was no need to worry and nothing was wrong.

"My wife and I looked at each other and thought 'this is strange' but when I looked back along the corridor, there was no one there - it was definitely eerie."

The couple reported what they had seen but found no one believed them.

Mr Spurden said: "We did not sleep at all well especially as it was October 31 but no one believed us. I feel I am quite a sane man but I feel very affected by what happened."

On the website for The Queen Mary it states the ship is haunted and lists many stories of apparitions and strange happenings experienced on board.

The website says: "For years paranormal experts have believed that the Queen Mary is haunted.

"Passengers and crew members alike have reported numerous eerie sightings."