As they mount their broomsticks with a blood curdling cackle, these witches are enough to make the hairs on your neck stand up.

But before you run for dear life at the thought of Shenley being invaded by ghouls – don’t worry, these are just children in disguise for Halloween.

Hundreds of kids flocked to Shenley Cage Pond last night to celebrate All Hallows Eve with a scary party organised by the parish council.

Munching on a toffee apple, multicoloured witch Maddison Fowler, six, said: “I love Halloween because you get to eat lots of sweets without your mum saying no.

“I carved a pumpkin and it was loads of fun, I put a candle on it and I think it looks really cool.”

Seven-year-old Scarlett Burgess came as a scary dog. Her sister, Amelia, ten, made a very convincing pirate ghost.

Amelia said: “I thought it would be really funny to come dressed as a pirate ghost because I had the sheet, so it all went from there.

“Tonight has been loads of fun and I can’t wait until we can do it all again next year.”

Zombie Alex Black, who works at Shenley Tea Rooms, in Radlett Lane, was serving a blood-tomato soup.

He said: “I’ve been going round scaring all the kids tonight – it’s been great and I think everyone is having a fantastic time.”