A Hereford Times photographer was left spooked when his camera defied technology while he was attempting to copy photographic images of a county ghost.

The phantom figure appears on a 1973 photo of the King Charles II pub of Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye.

Dumbfounded photographer James Watkins, explained the problems he encountered.

"Whenever I tried to copy the picture, my camera would do inexplicable things. At first there was an incredible red blur over the ghost's figure, and then wherever I positioned the flash, it would always cover the spirit's body, even when I positioned the flash behind my head. I have never seen anything like this before."

James had visited Barry Fitzpatrick to help the paranormal investigator with his four-year project on the Ross pub, which had come across a stumbling block.

"Over the years I have amassed a wealth of information on the pub since I was given the photo in 1993 by Mrs V. H. Boler who was landlady from 1973 to 1980," said Mr Fitzpatrick.

"Since that date I have lost contact with her, and cannot trace the negatives to prove the photo is authentic. My only hope to continue the project lies with Hereford Times readers who might know something about the mystery man."

The curious occurrences with the digital camera only add further mystery to the Ross ghost story.

Anyone who has any information on the history of the pub is asked to contact Mr Fitzpatrick at 25 Wordsworth Road, Whitecross, Hereford.