Halloween: Eerie displays trick - and treat - onlookers

Matlock Farm Park Horse and headless horseman at Matlock Farm ParkMatlock Farm Park
Staff at Matlock Farm Park have recreated a headless horseman scene

People and animals across the UK have been embracing the spooky season with pumpkins, fancy dress and elaborate decorations.

This includes Halloween scenes set up around the East Midlands, which range from the cute and fluffy - to the dark and disturbing.

Jill Newton Halloween decorations in West HallamJill Newton
There are some very bony characters in this West Hallam garden
Jill Newton Halloween decorations in West HallamJill Newton
The display includes gravestones and skeletons

A house in West Hallam, Derbyshire, is designed to send a shiver up the spine of passers-by with the garden turned into a graveyard with witches, pumpkins and a very bony butler.

However, a couple in Heanor, Derbyshire, have taken decorating their home to the next level.

It took Alison Clarke and her husband a week to put all their Halloween decorations up.

Alison Clarke Halloween decorations outside a house in HeanorAlison Clarke
Alison Clarke said they added more decorations to their Halloween display each year

She said they started staging the creepy display outside their home on Thorpehill Drive a few years ago, adding new items every time.

"We had to build a shelter because we get strong winds next to Shipley Park," she said.

"We moved it on the yard so we could use electricity, sound, lighting and fog machine.

"The street love it and support us."

Alison Clarke Halloween decorations outside a house in HeanorAlison Clarke
Mrs Clarke said they used sound effects, lighting and a fog machine to add to the illusion of their creepy display
Alison Clarke Halloween decorations outside a house in HeanorAlison Clarke
A creepy clown looks out at people passing the property

It is not just homes that have had a Halloween makeover - a group of animal sculptures in Nottingham has also been dressed up for the occasion.

The horses near the racecourse in Sneinton look like they are ready to go trick or treating.

BBC Horse sculptures in Sneinton dressed for HalloweenBBC
The horse sculptures in Sneinton are wearing Halloween fancy dress costumes
BBC Horse sculpture dressed as a witch in SneintonBBC

At Matlock Farm Park, some real animals have been embracing the fun of the season.

Staff have recreated a headless horseman scene and introduced a pumpkin companion to one of their resident rabbits.

Matlock Farm Park Rabbit with a carved pumpkinMatlock Farm Park
Probably the least scary Halloween scene in the East Midlands
BBC Presentational grey line

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].