VISITORS to Pleasureland this half term will get an unusual freebie with their ride wristbands to get them in the mood for Halloween.

The Southport theme park has come up with a novel way to prepare for Halloween with free pumpkins.

Children are invited to decorate them and enter them in Pleasureland's Grand Pumpkin Carving Competition on Sunday 31 October.

The competition is a major part of Pleasureland's annual Halloween party, which sees the whole park transformed into a spooky 'scream' park, with Halloween themes on the rides and staff in frightful fancy dress!

Stephen Christian, Pleasureland's Marketing Manager who will be giving away almost 1,000 pumpkins, said; "The Halloween party is a major event in the Pleasureland calendar.

"The staff put an awful lot of effort into decorating the park and their costumes and it makes a great evening for kids.

"We're giving the pumpkins away with wristbands all through half term week and hoping to see all of them back on the 31 October for the competition!"

The pumpkins will be available to ride wristband purchasers from Saturday 23 October and judges will be looking for style, originality and innovation when they pick the best of the bunch.

In addition to the pumpkin competition there is also a kids' fancy dress party with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl.

Pleasureland will be open from 12pm-9pm with the Halloween fun starting after dark. Wristband prices are £9 all day or £7.50 after 5pm.

For more information telephone 08702 200 204.