'It's never too much' - Somerset Halloween enthusiasts

Nathan Heath and PA MediaBBC News
News imageLeeann Austin/PA Wire A spooky man holding lollipops - decoration inside the hotelLeeann Austin/PA Wire

A couple of Halloween enthusiast hotel owners who spend hours displaying more than 1000 spooky decorations say "you can never have too much".

Leeann and Will Austin, who manage the Radstock Hotel in Somerset, have spent 29 hours decorating the hotel's bar, dining and pool rooms.

Some of their displays are 8ft (2.43m) and come to life with animatronics.

"I love Halloween, it takes a long time and it's tiring, but I absolutely love it," said 55-year-old Ms Austin.

"I've been collecting decorations for 23 years. I have got rid of some bits and bought some new bits this year but the reaction has been wonderful and people love it," she added.

The couple have been displaying an assortment of Halloween figures, trinkets and ornaments for nearly a decade.

News imageLeeann Austin/PA Wire The hotel dining room with spooky lights, faces and a model of a waitchLeeann Austin/PA Wire
The couple have been collecting decorations for 23 years

"We had a pub for seven years in Paulton and we did it there every year," Ms Austin said.

"We've been (at the Radstock for) two years and this is our second year doing it.

"You can never have too much," she added.

The hotel manager has involved her children and grandchildren, who are also Halloween fans, by creating decorations of them.

She explained: "I've got four children and 10 grandchildren and they all absolutely love it.

"I used to papier mache their heads and arms and made like scary faces out of papier mache things."

News imageLeeann Austin/PA Wire A spooky decoration of a man with his hands outwards and showing an evil smileLeeann Austin/PA Wire
The couple are displaying an assortment of Halloween figures, trinkets and ornaments

Ms Austin was inspired after her father used arts and crafts around the house during her youth.

"I grew up with that sort of thing. We were always dressing up and my dad was an artist as well so he'd do lots of drawings and make things," she said.

Mr Austin said the decorations had already frightened some children, but said they help to attract customers.

"We scared a couple of kids and we've been busy all week. We're busy every year because people know what we do," he said.

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