IS this a ghost in a New Forest cemetery? Two Bournemouth residents certainly think so and they’re heading back for a Halloween all nighter.

It was date night for 34-year-old Amir Jardan and his partner Amy. There was nothing on at the cinema and the couple got onto the conversation of ghosts – for which Amy was a real sceptic.

Amir, remembering his Aunt Suzanne’s stint as a ‘ghost hunter’ in the 90s, proposed they go on a late-night trip to a cemetery in search of paranormal activity.

The spontaneous couple liaised with Suzanne who suggested the East Boldre Cemetery in the New Forest as a possible spot as she had heard “a number of stories” about strange activity.

Bournemouth Echo: Amir Jardan and his partner, AmyAmir Jardan and his partner, Amy

Amir said: “We arrived at the cemetery at around 11pm. It was so hard to find as it’s in the middle of nowhere and it was pitch black. When we got there we felt okay and there was a nice feeling as it was such a warm, beautiful night with a touch of fog in the air.

“Amy and I sat on a bench, taking photos of the graves trying to capture any activity on our phones as my Aunt Suzanne ventured off and was walking around.

“I started taking a few pictures of this one spot when suddenly I captured something that hadn’t appeared before, and didn’t appear in any photos after.

“We looked back through and captured what appears to be a man behind a gravestone popping up and looking at us. Naturally we all freaked out because it was just so unexpected. We think we can make out a moustache and he looks to us like a man from the 1800s.”

Bournemouth Echo: Image of the same headstone in East Boldre cemetery moments before the sighting Image of the same headstone in East Boldre cemetery moments before the sighting

Soon after, the trio began hearing footsteps around them – despite there allegedly being nobody else in the area around the cemetery near Lymington.

Amir added: “When we heard that, we thought we’d better call it a night and get out of there. But we will be back for sure, hopefully more prepared next time.”

The couple will return to East Boldre on Halloween night for an all-night stakeout, hoping to replicate their paranormal encounter. They will be joined by Bournemouth mystic and tarot reader Madonna Viviani.

Amir stressed that they would respect the grounds.

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