AS Spook Night and Halloween quickly approach, we know many families will be planning costumes.

If that is the case... then let us help you.

By looking back through our archives we can help you decide on the best costume to win any competition at school parties or even Spook Night.

The town's annual Spook Night always sees thousands of tourists descend on the area, so what better place to show off your costume?

This year Spook Night will return on Saturday, October 29 between 2pm and 9pm around Beaumont Street, Market Place and the Abbey Grounds with fairground rides, hot food and drinks.

The night also features spooky activities, including pumpkin carving and an arty party at Hexham Community Centre; creepy crafts and slightly scary storytime at Hexham Library; and lantern-making at Queen’s Hall.

There will also be spooky stories at Cogito Books, plus face painting.

Dance studio, Studio K, plans to perform Halloween inspired dance performances at the bandstand.

Suitable for over-13s, there will be a Halloween Special FX Make-Up Workshop with Over The Winks at Queen's Hall, with limited tickets available.

The fancy dress competition is free to enter and includes categories for under sixes, six-to-nine year olds, 10-16 year olds, adults, the best dressed family, and spooky pets.

Other activities include a 'Skull Trail' with Hexham Old Gaol from 10am-4pm, and the Forum cinema will screen Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice.

Hexham's Project Escape will offer spooky escape rooms such as Sherlocked: The Case of the Hexham Heads and The Cursed Attic.