PUMPKINS helped ward off evil spirits on Oxford’s Blackbird Leys estate today, as children prepared for Halloween.

Youngsters and their parents celebrated the spooky season with a craft session at Cuddesdon Corner Family Centre in Cuddesdon Way, carving pumpkins, painting masks and decorating cakes.

Centre worker Conray Harris said: “The children loved it.

“It was wonderful. “They were queing up to have their faces painted.

“Children like being scared in a safe environment and Halloween gives them the chance to play with that boundary.”