A BLACK Country author is on the hunt for haunting stories to feature in his upcoming book.

Richard O'Connor, who hails from Great Barr, is on the lookout for spooky stories to feature in his forthcoming publication about ghostly dwellers of the Black Country, scheduled for release by Amberley Publishing in 2024.

The author’s fascination with the paranormal goes back to his adolescent years and he’s already delved into spooky goings on in Burton-upon-Trent.

His latest venture, however, is more than just another book to him - it's a trip down memory lane, he said.

Places like Dudley Zoo and Castle, which is reputed to be inhabited by spectres including the famous grey lady, were among his favourite haunts as a child.

As the completion of his latest book draws near, O'Connor is appealing to locals to share their personal supernatural experiences and tales from across the Black Country.

He has a keen interest in stories from places like Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Sedgley, Coseley, Bilston, Wolverhampton and Willenhall.

However, he said: "Writing about private homes can be difficult. Their neighbours and future occupiers might not appreciate it.”

So, he is primarily seeking tales associated with public places like pubs, museums, parks and other such buildings.

He said: “This choice isn't only about preserving the privacy of homeowners; it also offers the opportunity to personally visit these public sites, capturing their mystique with photographs for the book.”

The author said the tellers of the top five stories that make it to his book will be among the first to receive a free signed copy once it's published next year.

Anyone who has had a supernatural encounter in a public place across the Black Country can submit their spooky stories to Richard by emailing hauntedburton@gmail.com with an overview of their paranormal experience.