A SHOP has opened in York's most famous street which sells only one thing – ghosts.

York Ghost Merchants, based in the historic Shambles, has perhaps the most unusual and unvaried stock of any shop in Britain.

As the name suggests, York Ghost Merchants sells ghosts, and nothing else.

The shop, at 6, The Shambles, which was built in 1780 is a traditional store with oak-panelled walls, and there are plans to transform the upstairs room into a venue for telling ghost stories.

Angus McArthur, who has founded the shop with David Bloodworth, said: "The story we tell is of the tradition of ghost making, which dates back to the 1400s when pilgrims would purchase badges, tokens or souvenirs which they would take into holy shrines to be imbued with positive spirit and energy – effectively creating their own good luck charms.

"Although their origins are shrouded in mystery, York Ghosts seem to have followed a similar tradition, carved from oak and used as protection from evil.

"The somewhat obscure legend of York Ghosts has continued over the centuries.”

The tradition of York Ghosts has now been resurrected to create a range of handcrafted ghosts, which can be bought from the shop as an unusual souvenir or lucky charm for visitors to take back home.

Buying a ghost comes with its own ceremony, and when a purchaser finds the ghost that 'calls to them', they can take a picture in a secret compartment hidden in a panelled wall, before it is carefully packed into its travel box.

Work is currently on-going to transform the top floor into a cosy nook where ghost stories can be shared with a small audience.

“York is known as the city of a thousand ghosts - and often referred to as the most haunted city in Europe, so it is almost unthinkable that there has been nowhere to purchase a traditional York Ghost in the city for at least the last century,”said Mr Bloodworth.

“We are happy that we’re now able to redress this balance, and look forward to York Ghosts once again being rehomed and cherished across the four corners of the globe.”

The shop is designed to resemble a shop interior from the late 18th century and with the ghosts displayed on shelves around the shop's interior, accompanied only by the sound of a ticking grandfather clock, the atmosphere is designed to be spooky.

York Ghost Merchants is open every day, from around 10am until early evening, although the owners say times may vary according to other-worldly demands.

Two sizes of ghost are available, priced at £14 and £7.

For more information visit www.yorkghostmerchants.com or follow @yorkghostmerchants on social media.