A HALLOWEEN-THEMED attraction in Colchester has been described as “grossly offensive” by critics.

Doomsday, which is being run in Upper Castle Park, includes an “execution experience” and a maze based on Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins.

But the attraction has been criticised by Colchester’s High Steward, Sir Bob Russell, who says glorifying torture is not entertainment.

He said: “What Colchester Council is hosting is grossly offensive. So-called Halloween entertainment is not funny.

“I cannot see how it can be entertainment to have a ‘Hopkins attraction’ featuring someone who tortured and had innocent women killed on the trumped-up charges that they were witches.”

Colchester Council’s events company tasked Bad Omens to set up a scream park in Colchester’s Castle Park.

It has three maze attractions are themed on the town’s history with Tempum Claudii having a Roman look, And All the Kings Men focusing on Victorian times and the Witchfinder General which is based on the man himself, Matthew Hopkins.

Creative manager Porl Matthews had told The Gazette he wanted to use scary themes relevant to Colchester in a bid to make people think about the town and its history.

However, Sir Bob said Colchester’s gory past, such as Boudica slaughtering thousands of men, women and children, and martyrs being burnt at the stake, should not be used for entertainment.

He said: “Reference to ‘hanged participants’ is particularly distressing. Gruesome deaths should not be the subject of humour. “I recognise the American-driven frenzy of Halloween has taken hold in the UK.

“But, please, do not allow our lovely Castle Park to become the venue of entertainment featuring the real events of torture and killings.”

Sir Bob called for “offensive features” to be deleted from the programme of events.

Tickets for Doomsday are £17.50 for adults and pass holders will be able to go on as many mazes as they like when they attend the attraction.

Passes to access the Verdict, an additional segment to the Witchfinder General maze, have to be purchased separately.

This part of the park has been labelled is the first attraction of its type in the world.

Details are a closely guarded secret but it is thought to be some kind of “execution experience”.

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) said:“Perhaps it is not to everybody’s taste but nobody has to attend and we have a wide variety of entertainment in the park throughout the year. There will always be events some people don’t enjoy.

“We are a diverse town where people can enjoy different things.

“It is well publicised what the event is about.”

“I completely understand some people have religious objections to Halloween but in the same way we won’t be banning it like we won’t ban Christmas because some don’t celebrate it.

“I also appreciate people will have their own views on and they don’t have to attend.

“There will be events in Castle Park some people will not enjoy, there is a Scotland in Colchester event so people might not like that.”