DO you wake to find taps running after you turned them off? Or do ornaments fall from your mantle-piece without explanation?

If the answer's yes, a Newport family would like to hear from you. Inspired by cable TV shows like Most Haunted and Ghost Towns, the Wainwrights, of Sullivan Circle, Ringland, last year set up their own agency - Newport Spooks - to investigate the paranormal.

They stake out haunted houses, ruined castles and disused churches, hoping to find ghosts, spirits or poltergeists.They use equipment worth £1,000 including EMF energy counters, thermometers and VHF radio to play "white noise".

The team has six members: Colette, 41, her husband Anthony, 43; their children Christopher, 19, Simon, 21 and Mark, 22, and Mark's girlfriend, 23-year-old Kelly Murison.

Colette said Most Haunted motivated the family because they thought they could do better.

Mark said: "It's something we have always wanted to do but never really had the opportunity.

"We want to find the evidence so we can show people these things really do exist."

When the team enter a house they switch off all electric equipment. Colette said: "Then if we get a reading, it's generally a sign there's paranormal activity."

They recently investigated a Gwent home where a woman had trouble for 25 years.Anthony said: "There were taps turning on and off at night, people walking up and down the stairs and objects getting damaged without any explanation.

"There was a lot of energy on the stairs which we couldn't account for. This spirit was very stubborn."

The Spooks plan a return visit to see if they have succeeded in removing the spirit.

They don't charge for their services, but ask for a donation towards equipment.

So far, they have conducted four investigations.

Colette admitted some people were sceptical, but challenged unbelievers to draft them in if there were unexplained happenings.

She said: "Some people collect stamps or make model planes and this is just a different hobby."

If you've got somewhere for Newport Spooks to investigate, call 01633 276854 or 07876 744532, or email: wackorocker@yahoo.co.uk.