Costume donned and face painted I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw my reflection.

On Friday, I joined 60 actors in Broadwitch, Manor Farm’s

Halloween Hauntfest.

Grizzly and gruesome, I was put into Containment, one of five frightening attractions at the Southfleet farm, given a story line to follow and told to enjoy myself.

I felt a bit silly knowing I had to shout at random strangers but it is true what the actors say: once you get your first terrified scream, you get a real taste for it.

And it didn’t take me long.

I was playing one of several patients infected by a flesh-eating, brain-poisoning virus.

There I was, for one night only, rocking back and forth behind a zimmer frame in the corner of our ‘quarantine’ room, while (fake) blood ran down the pustules of rotting flesh on my face.

It was cold and dark with only a crackling TV, an old piano and four other actors for company.

Now it wouldn’t do to ruin all the surprises so I won’t tell you what you will experience when you go into Containment.

All I’ll say is good luck getting past the nurse who delights in grotesque and experimental medical procedures, the man who lurks in the shadows and a poor old woman who just wants to get that television working because they really, don’t want you to leave.

The adrenaline soon surged when I began screaming at our visitors and banging on the wall before leaping up chasing after them as they left our room.

“Get me out!” I screamed, “Please don’t leave me here!”

It certainly freaks people out, but it was amusing seeing which people were most scared.

Groups of teenage girls were the easiest to terrify, but three uniformed police officers were unnerved to say the least.

Men acted macho and unafraid but some ended up hiding behind their girlfriends or running from the room.

The actors, costumes and set are utterly professional and will give you a nightmare to remember.

Broadwitch runs from Friday, October 25 until November 2, 6pm-11pm.

Tickets range between £12 and £40 with Fast Pass. There are also daytime activities for children.

For more information visit www.spookycastle.co.uk