HALLOWE'EN may be more traditionally associated with webs of the cob'-type rather than the Internet, but I've decided to put together a few sites to get you in the spooky mood.

The art of pumpkin carving The art of pumpkin carving is one of my favourite things about this time of year. If you need some ideas to help you gouge out an awesome Jack O'Lantern, then head to http://www.extremepumpkins.com. This great site has loads of tips on designs, the tools of the trade, how to set them on fire (safely) and loads and loads of really cool pictures.

Monsters and more...

If you cannot decide what to dress up as on the scariest night of the year, then check out the top 100 monsters of all time at http://www.

retrocrush.com/100monsters/index.html. From Dracula to Frankenstein, Hellraiser to Michael Jackson, this site has them all.

Crop circles Crop circles - are they made by aliens or just bored farmers? Ok, it's definitely not aliens, but some of the designs on http://www.circlemakers.org will blow you away. How these incredible creations are made defies belief. Be careful though check with the owner of the local field before you go out and try to make one for yourself.

Ghost stories...

Hallowe'en is the night when ghosts and ghoulies come out to play. At http://www.ghosts.org, you can find a goody bag full of details about the bed-sheet-wearing haunters. The site has loads of ghost stories (all said to be true), haunted places that you can visit and ghostly photos. You can also see if you're in touch with the paranormal by taking the psychic card test.

Hallowe'en Fashion...

If you're looking for that perfect thing to finish of your costume for the big night, then check out http://www.gothic.uk.com/ acatalog/FASHIONWEAR_LENSES.html and order some scary contact lenses. Cats' eyes, monsters' eyes, radiation warning eyes or hypnotic spirals are all featured.

Spooky ideas...

For a great, general Hallowe'en site, then head over to http://www.spooky.org.uk. Here, you'll find Hallowe'en party guides, ghostly jokes, crazy cards, celebrity spooks, competitions and lots, lots more. You might also want to visit http://www.halloween.co.uk for more scary ideas.

Dressing up...

If you have left things to the last minute and don't have time to make yourself a costume, fear not! Just point your browser at http://www.partybox.co.uk and order yourself the whole shebang. More costumes can be found at http://www.wonderlandparty.com/index.

html?mid=GoogleHalloween.

Hallowe'en history lesson...

If you'd like to know a bit more about the history of Hallowe'en, then go to http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Halloween.html.

Join the family online...

Our CommuniGate free web site service for non-profit groups or individuals is really growing. New sections for Parish and Community groups and Arts and Literature have been set up. If your site doesn't fit into the sections available, or if you want more details, contact the Web Editor, Kate Whiteside at kate.whiteside@kendal.

newsquest.co.uk or phone 01539-710183.

Order your photos online...

Gazette pictures are available to order online via our Photo Gallery link on www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk.

New Writing Competition launched: E Short Story and Poetry Competition 2005 (ESSP 2005) has been launched, with the theme of space'. Details are available on www.thisis thelakedistrict.co.uk in the Artists in Residence section, along with the winning entries for ESSP 2004. Visit co-sponsor Word Market's web site at www.word-market.co.uk to find out more.