Pubs across Southampton and the New Forest have embraced Halloween by decorating their premises inside and out with ghosts, ghouls, and grizzly figures.

With just three days to go until Tuesday, October 31, many establishments have embraced the spookiest time of the year, encouraging punters to get involved in fancy dress and make the most of the celebrations.

Steve Harris, owner of The Stag Hotel in Lyndhurst, said this is "a brilliant time of year".

He said: “We’re a community pub and we love to do anything that will showcase the area as it’s a lovely little village.

“It’s a brilliant time of year and we go mad for Christmas and Halloween.

“For us it’s great to have a good connection with the surrounding area and welcome everyone that wants to get involved.”

Having owned the pub for three years, Steve celebrated earlier this year as The Stag Hotel won Greene King Pub of the Year.

To celebrate Halloween, the pub will have live music – with a Michael Jackson impersonator entertaining locals tonight.

Steve said: “We’ve got a Michael Jackson impersonator coming down which should be really good.

“It’s free for everyone to come down and we’ll have a competition for the best dressed, so anyone who wants to get dressed up and enjoy the evening is welcome to do so.”

Steve also said he’d received great feedback from customers, who were embracing the Halloween theming of the pub.

"People have been having their pictures taken inside and out so it’s great to see people are enjoying themselves."

He added: “Hospitality is key for us, and it’s a great time of the year where it’s getting a bit colder, and the nights are drawing in for people to come inside and have a chat and a meal.

“There’s a lot of places in the industry that are closing down, and you have to go that step further.”

READ MORE: Five fun things to do in Hampshire this Halloween weekend

The Hinkler in Thornhill is another pub which has decorated its interior in time for Halloween.

Gary Hines, general manager of The Hinkler, told the Echo: “We do all of our entertainment, so we’ll be having a fancy dress party and play some games – customers will be in with a chance of winning a free drink.

“We want to engage with the community and be a hub that people can come to and feel happy.

“It’s a home from home for many people so it’s great to see our decorations in action and hopefully people will dress up and get involved.

“Every pub has its own history, and we want to showcase what we can do.”