Fearless night owls are being sought for the job of Paranormal Investigation Supervisor at Shepton Mallet Prison.

The role at reputedly the fourth most haunted property in the UK has only been advertised for a week - but manager Charlie Lawson has already received 22 applications.

While most are from locals, the position has also appealed to several courageous candidates from further afield, including one living 240 miles away in York.

The successful applicant will need to have nerves of steel with visitors to the tourist attraction reporting numerous spooky experiences from sightings of apparitions, hearing strange sounds and even hair pulling - to name just a few.

Charlie, who had a night-time eerie experience within days of starting work at the tourist attraction, told Shepton Mallet Nub News: "The job starts at 7.30pm and finishes around 4.30am on aFriday and Saturday night, with occasional extra nights.

"The successful applicant will be responsible for the popular organised paranormal investigation groups who come ghost-hunting at the prison.

"That means opening up, welcoming the group, explaining the history and paranormal experiences at the jail, ensuring the visitor's health and safety, selling merchandise and making sure no one gets locked in at the end of the visit.

"They will need to have the nerve to be alone in the prison for around half an hour before the group arrives and the same period of time again when they lock up after the group leaves.

"I'd say, considering the prison's reputation for otherworldly events, there's a good chance they will encounter spooky goings-on while in the role."