The Halloween season will mark the starting point of a series of regular, night-time, guided walks around the newly reopened Dartmoor Zoo at Sparkwell near Plymouth.

These events will take place monthly on the Friday closest to the full moon and will be known as "Full Moon Fridays".

The walks will be led by David Phillips and Mark Lindsey Earley.

David, a local expert in the supernatural, is the leader and a founder member of Torbay Investigators of the Paranormal (TIP), and founder of Moor Tours - an organisation that gave minibus trips around Dartmoor's most historic and mystical places.

Mark, who is the current holder of the ancient and recently revived title, "Bard of Exeter", also runs the highly popular, weekly Totnes Ghost Walk. Previous to this he was one of Bath's most popular tour guides and also led river boat trips.

Both are experienced performers and actors with a passion for the bizarre, the macabre, the entertaining and the enjoyable! They are promising a unique and exciting experience.

The tours give an opportunity to experience the eerie sounds of the animals at night - not least the wolves, whose howling can sound both spine-tingling and deeply moving.

The walk also features, among other things, the historic Goodamoor House and its resident ghost, UFO sightings, the beast (or beasts!) of Dartmoor (- the feral "Big Cats" believed to be stalking the vicinity) and the fantastic folklore and mythology of the moor plus a few surprises!

The walk ends with a warming bite in the zoo's licensed restaurant, where Mark, David and the zoo's animal experts will be on hand to answer questions. For those brave enough, there may also be an opportunity to have a close-up one-to-one encounter with some of Dartmoor Zoo's smaller residents - the snakes and spiders!

The whole nocturnal nightmare experience, which includes the food and a discount voucher to see the animals again in daylight, costs just £17. Places are limited and need to be booked in advance. The events are only suitable for adults and accompanied children aged ten or over.

To reserve a place on the first walk, which takes place at 7.30pm on Friday 26 October (the full moon closest to Halloween), you can telephone Dartmoor Zoo, formerly Sparkwell Wildlife Park, on 01752 837 645 or book via their website www.dartmoorzoo.co.uk.

Mark can be contacted on 01803 782003 and David on 07748730214.