A TEAM of crack ghost hunters descended on a Bicester charity shop following reports of spooky goings on.

British Heart Foundation shop staff claimed to have heard whispers, seen a strange mist and even arrived at the store to find things had moved.

The unusual incidents prompted the Ghostfinder Paranormal Society to mount a special investigation.

Lead investigator Phil Measey, 42, who lives in Bicester, said: “A lot of people were saying the shop was haunted and that there were lots of weird things happening.

“People who work there said they had experienced child-like behaviour, chairs being moved, or when they go home all the lights are off, but when they come back the lights are on.

“They said there was a strange mist on the top floor, part of the shop that isn’t used, and people have had whispers in their ears.

“It warranted an investigation, so I took my team there.”

GPS researchers discovered the building was originally a confectionery shop and bakery and that a family with two children had lived above it.

One of the children was believed to be a girl called Cecily or Celia. She died of tuberculosis in the 1800s.

The ghost hunters took part in a seven-hour vigil. During that time, several of the group claimed their clothing was pulled and they heard talking.

Mr Measey said: “We threw objects into dark rooms and stuff was thrown back at us.

“It was one of the best things of the night.”

Mr Measey, manager of discount shop Winners, in Victoria Road, joined GPS more than two years ago, but said he had been interested in the paranormal since he was a child.

He spent about 18 months training to be an investigator and now leads a team of six visiting haunted buildings across the country.

Mr Measey spends his spare time scouring the country for properties to investigate.

He said: “I grew up in a haunted house in Long Crendon where really strange things happened.

“I don’t get scared — I’m more intrigued to find out more.”

Tina Hudson, the assistant manager at the shop, said: “It was really good.

“There was definitely something here. I was standing against the wall and something definitely pulled my top.”

The GPS team plan to carry out more paranormal investigations, at Bicester pubs, The White Hart and The Hobgoblin.