Those looking to see an extra special Halloween house tonight, Thursday, are in for a treat if they venture down one road. Sue Strong, 51, has been transforming her home, which is off Newbrook Road in Atherton, with spooky decorations, including a ghost train, every Halloween for around 20 years. She makes most of it by hand, whether a witch’s lair, pirate ship, or a haunted mansion.
Sue said: “It takes a while to decide on the theme. “And I make most of the decorations myself. “I built a full-size pirate ship out of wood in the drive myself a few years ago.
“The year before that, I made a horse-drawn carriage with a coffin inside. “I usually make the props throughout the summer. Sue Strong's family (Image: Public) “It takes a weekend or two to install all of it before Halloween .
” Sue is an area sales manager, so most of the preparation is done on weekends and she gets help from family. She said: “I come up with the ideas, like the pirate ship. (Image: Public) “My dad is a retired engineer.
He often explains how to build the props and put them together. “I get a lot of help from my parents and husband. “The weekend before Halloween, all four of us are installing banners and putting up bunting.
I couldn’t do it without them.” When asked why, Sue said: “I do it because I love Halloween.” Sue Strong (Image: Public) And it all started in America.
She said: “My mum’s best friend emigrated to California when she was 15 and we’ve been visiting .