Spellbound by Lancaster's new witchcraft shop

Dubhlainn Earley, owner of Bell, Book and Candle, identifies himself as a necromancer, a communicator with the dead.

The 38-year-old from Heysham has been collecting dirt from graves to practice spells for others since he was a teenager. His shop on Sun Street is centred around the occult and has everything needed for a ritual, love potion and protection spell.

Dubhlainn said: “I have always done black magic as opposed to white magic, I can’t see myself running through a forest with a twig between my bottom.

“I expected every street corner to have one of these shops because of Lancaster’s history. It is a massive draw. It’s about time Lancaster had its own witch museum.”

One of the strangest items on sale is dirt from graves, which Dubhlainn said is a powerful tool for rituals.

He said: “I get the soil on the soloist, a full moon. I have to research the person I am taking it from, I have to make sure they are good.”

Dubhlainn said he leaves money at the grave as an “exchange” for the dirt.

“I give two silver coins and whiskey, as long as I feel right I can then dig down and take the dirt. “The last one was almost four feet, two inches deep. I’ve got it from police officers, judges, people who have protected other people in life.”

The former chef, who also does tarot card readings, said that he found he could communicate with the dead from the age of five.

“I found since I was a child I could see the dead. I could hear them, I was the kid that ran after them. I think they were more scared of me than I was of them.”

Jewellery, candles and crystal balls are among some of the items for sale at Bell, Book and Candle.

Dubhlainn hopes more witches will come forward now the new shop has opened.

He said: “There is no need to hide away, come out, come out wherever you are.”