NEARLY 1,000 people ventured into Great Notley Country Park when it was transformed into a cursed village.

Teenagers and grown men screamed as they made their way through six specially-constructed mazes where ghoulish characters jumped out at them.

The first event of its kind at the park, which was called Cursed, was based on a story of a rich family who employed, then cancelled, a circus for their employees.

Steve Bunn, head ranger, said: “When you went into the manor, it was very dimly lit inside, with music going on, it was really spooky. We had scared kids and grown men screaming. We had some fantastic responses. ”