COLCHESTER is the second most generous place in the country at Halloween, according to a survey.

The average Colcestrian is thought to spend a frightening £16.25 on sweets for trick or treaters when October 31 rolls around, according to research done by OnBuy across 65 UK towns and cities.

Leeds is the only city spending more on spooky treats, with the average household spending £16.40.

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Trick-or-treaters will be most disappointed in Hull, where the average spend on Halloween sweets is just £1.25, followed by £1.50 in Nottingham and £1.65 in Cambridge.

Colchester missed out on the 'most Halloween mad' title, which was given to Coventry where 55 per cent of young residents are expected to go trick or treating this year.

Tollgate shopping centre has also quizzed 2,000 Colchester shoppers about their Halloween spending habits and have revealed the average shopper plans to spend more than £35 on costumes, decorations and sweets.

This is almost double the amount spent five years ago.  

The survey revealed that nearly half (49 per cent) of Colchester residents will be celebrating in fancy dress this year, and nearly one in five (18 per cent) are planning to carve pumpkins.

As a result, Tollgate is preparing for a surge in scary sales this weekend in the run-up to Halloween.

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Witches and wizards are the region’s most popular costume choice this year, with nearly a third of those surveyed planning on dressing up with wands and broomsticks.

Nick Beckett, centre manager at Tollgate, said: “Halloween has really exploded in popularity over the last few years with people buying increasingly elaborate costumes and decorations.

“We’re expecting a record number of shoppers over Halloween weekend as people stock up on last-minute sweet treats for party guests and trick-or-treaters.”

  • Do you go Halloween mad? Or are visiting trick-or-treaters left empty-handed at your house? Leave us your comments below.