Glasgow University, a Scottish university, will offer a 20-week course studying ghosts, poltergeists and demonic possession in psychical research. The paranormal study is the brainchild of Professor Archie Roy, 84. "Psychical researchers have studied these events for over a century, resulting in evidence as to their authenticity," Roy said.

The series of lectures, titled "An In Depth Study of Psychical Research", will be given through the University's Department of Adult and Continuing Education.

Subjects covered include: apparitions, haunted places and people, poltergeist activity, telepathy, mediumship, psychic surgery, paranormal healing, possession and reincarnation.

There are Critics
Critics have called the "dangerous drivel" and claimed its "pseudo-science" should have no place in a respected academic institution. The National Secular Society, which campaigns against the influence of superstition, said it did not know "whether to laugh or cry".