THEY live in a cemetery, own two black cats and their ten-year-old son carves houses out of pumpkins — now the Hallowe'en loving Leahy family of Winkleigh have beaten off thousands to take the title of 'Britain's Scariest Family.'

The UK equivalent of the Addams Family, the Leahys have been revealed as totally spooktastic after a nationwide hunt on Facebook by online retailer Woolworths.co.uk.

Clare Leahy, her partner, Paul Baker, and three children Kieran, 14, Maya, 10 and Hope, 2, really know how to party when it comes to Hallowe'en — a special portrait from one of these events, showing three generations of the family was submitted for the competition.

Clare said:?'It was set up like a really old scary family portrait so we though we would send it in just for a laugh.

'We got shortlisted and then interviewed and had to answer some really silly questions about how much we enjoyed Hallowe'en. When they heard our home is called "Cemetery Bungalow" with the nearest grave 50ft away that was it really.'

The family have lived at Winkleigh Cemetery for six years in a bungalow that was originally a world war two building for the old airfield.

'Some people think it is a bit weird that we live here but the children have adapted to it really well and now they think it is quite cool. We certainly don't get any trouble from the neighbours!'

The Leahys love trick or treating and their house is the place to be when All Hallows Eve comes round. Clare said: 'We had a really big party one year when nearly 60 people came. We decorated the house inside and out, had a witches'coven in the garden and a cauldron. The children went on a treasure trail and all had certificates at the end.

'We go to town with dressing up, carve animals and houses out of pumpkins and just enjoy celebrating Hallowe'en. It's quite unusual to get so excited about it in the UK because Hallowe'en is very much an American thing but for me it's any excuse for a party.'

Clare's partner Paul — or Billy as he is known — is equally enthusiastic, with his alleged sighting of ghosts above their daughter Hope's cot when she was a baby, adding to the spooky atmosphere of the place.

'Billy loves the whole ghost thing and he likes to make Hallowe'en as spooky as possible,' she said. 'I usually find some rational explanation for all the bumps in the night but Billy gets much more excited about things like that.'

With the prize of £200 of Hallowe'en goodies and the opportunity to appear in a Woolworths.co.uk advertising campaign the Leahys are delighted.

'It's great but I'm not sure whether to take being "Britain's Scariest Family" as a compliment or an insult,' said Clare, who added that her likeness to Morticia from the Addams family ended at the dark hair and pale complexion, although she had been called a witch a time or two!

'But it's all good fun and something to tell the grandchildren and the great grandchildren.'