A FAMILY in East Lothian have transformed their back garden into a Hallowe'en extravaganza – and are offering tours for anyone who wants to go along.

The Williamson family, who live at 13 Grey School Corner, Prestonpans, have spent hundreds of hours preparing for spooky season by overhauling the entirety of their garden, with their theme this year set in Hansel and Gretel's medieval Germany. 

Mum and dad Magdalena and Gareth, along with their four children, Francesco, 21, Joshua, 19, Semira, 13, and Alissia, nine, started work in June and their six-day Halloween event is now well under way.

They are expecting more than 500 people to pay their spooky creation a visit this year.

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The Courier dared to enter on Tuesday and spoke with the family, who double as actors and tour guides, before their afternoon opening. 

Gareth, who is playing a wizard this year, said: "A few years ago, we had a neighbour in Tranent who wasn't exactly happy when we decided to put a few pumpkins out and, when we all moved to Prestonpans, we decided to expand big time. 

"After our first viewing, we thought the back garden space was ideal for an even bigger Hallowe'en event and it has really just come on from then.

"It has been varying amounts of money throughout the years but together we must have spent thousands of hours on this year's project alone. 

"With everything going on at the moment in the world, a little bit of fun and horror is always good.

"For us seeing all the families coming in, it is just amazing to see their reaction.

"It took us around four months to construct this in our back garden and we want everyone to come along, enjoy it and have fun.

"Donations are optional and all the money raised will go to The Pennypit and Preston Tower Primary School."

Attendees who are brave enough to weave in and out of the maze-like attraction can visit tomorrow (Thursday) and on the last day of tours on Friday. 

Magdalena told the Courier how the family had transformed their back garden with the use of Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and finding odd bits of wood on Prestonpans Beach. 

Magdalena, dressed as a witch, said: "Almost all of the materials get reused. Wood and pallets get passed onto people who need it through Facebook or Gumtree. 

"It is really remarkable what people have passed onto us through social media and what we have found lying on Prestonpans Beach. 

"Coming up with the ideas is really hard and I have spent hours and hours on YouTube to come up with ideas and designs for inspiration for the whole event."

Francesco, posing as a jester, told the Courier: "I think we went big on Hallowe'en because a lot of families go big on Christmas, they put thousands of lights on their house and do that really well. 

"But not so many people do Hallowe'en big in Scotland, so I think that is a bit of a niche that we have been able to find.

"This is a great opportunity for people to come along and enjoy for free." 

The six-day event started on Sunday, with remaining sessions on Thursday (Hallowe'en), 2-4pm and 5-9.30pm; and Friday, between noon and 2pm. 

Afternoon slots are for younger children and people with sensory issues; no lights or music will be played at these times to make the event fully accessible, with wheelchair access also provided.