 TOM Slemen is keen to point out that he is a ghost-hunter, not a ghost-buster. Though as writer of many books about ghosts and the supernatural, he looks the part. Hunched into a large black coat, he doggedly sets off in pursuit of the paranormal in a city that seems to be bursting with spirit life. Ah yes, the spirits. After much prompting by the public, Slemen is following up suggestions from his many readers and listeners to attempt to get an existing pub in the city named "Haunted Liverpool". As yet, there have been no takers, in spite of almost every other hostelry offering some ghostly activity from unexplained bumps and premonitions right through to malevolent spirits and frightening apparitions. "Ghosts have long been reported throughout the city and many familiar landmarks have become synonymous, in the minds of many, with ghosts and paranormal phenomena associated with them," says Slemen. So convinced is he of this concept that Slemen has taken the idea as far as contacting Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, and the council's tourism department. So far no reply has been forthcoming about this seemingly winning idea, in spite of Liverpool Tourist Office being instrumental in launching Slemen's career by selling his first pamphlet about the city's ghosts many years ago. Although about ethereal beings, this is a themed idea that would appear to have plenty of substance. "A pub with Haunted Liverpool as its theme would prove very popular. It could feature engravings, pictures and photographs of the city's folklore characters that are mentioned in the Haunted Liverpool series of books," says Slemen.. "These could include Spring-Heeled Jack, Tarney, Ginnie Greenteeth, the Birdman of Speke, the Penny Lane Poltergeist, the Man in the Iron Tube, the death mask of Jane Gallimore and so on." And let's not forget Mr McKenzie, the gambler embalmed upright in the Rodney Street pyramid (whose ghost has been repeatedly seen in the area), the Harrington Street visions, Bernie with the broken neck and the Grey Lady of Grove Street. Everybody is interested in ghosts, agrees Slemen. | 
