Halloween celebrations are well underway in Oldham today with pumpkins, skeletons and all kinds of ghoulish displays appearing across the borough.

It's October 31 which for many of us means stocking up on sweets, going on a ghost hunt, dressing up and waiting to greet trick or treaters - or sitting in the dark with the lights off, if you're being bah humbug about it.

Many of us have also been putting our pumpkin carving skills to the test and some are particularly better than others when it comes to bringing their creepy creations to life.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

One of Kwok's pumpkinsOne of Kwok's pumpkins (Image: Kwok Wong)

Readers of The Oldham Times have been sharing their spookily spectacular pumpkins and scarecrows - and here are some of the best.

At the top of the list is Royton's favourite scarecrow creator, Kwok Wong, whose garden display often catches the eyes and hearts of residents throughout the year and for Royton's hotly anticipated scarecrow festival.

Kwok and his partner, Julie Shervington, put a lot of time and effort into their displays every season as they decorate their front garden to celebrate key events such as Remembrance Day, Christmas, Easter and other special occasions to do with the Royal family.

Last year, they had an impressive NHS-themed display with skeleton nurses and pumpkin patients, with a huge 'thank you NHS' banner.

No rest for the wickedNo rest for the wicked as this guy is working in the chippy (Image: Kwok Wong)

This year, the pair have created a quirky couple on their front lawn in another touching scene using just two pairs of jeans, shoes and floral bouquets.

While it sounds terrifying, what with the scarecrows' heads and torsos 'missing' and replaced with the flowers, the scene itself is touching as one scarecrow has knelt on one knee in an apparent proposal to the woman scarecrow.

A speech bubble reads: "Will you marry me?" above his flower bouquet head.

The 'woman', adorned with a bouquet of red roses, says "yes" to the proposal as shown by a speech bubble.

Kwok said the display was inspired by the fact he popped the question to his now fiance earlier this year.

The display also came alive this week as the (scarecrow) couple got married.

It's a romantic scene in RoytonIt's a romantic scene in Royton (Image: Kwok Wong)

Kwok added a floral pergola with white curtains and the happy newlyweds - a man in a grey suit made of straw and a corpse bride, equipped with a flashing white wedding ring, white flowers, veil and her deathly grey and vacant look - to his front lawn.

Kwok has also made another scarecrow of a chef in uniform which came with him to work and has gone on display in Ree Ming Chippy.

Kwok said: "My customers think it's a real person and have been asking him if he has been served."

The scene comes alive at nightThe scene comes alive at night (Image: Kwok Wong)

Unsurprisingly, his carved pumpkin is just as creative, as he's made a scary head with exposed brains.

Other incredible creations include Stacey Wilkes' four pumpkins, one of which has innovatively been turned into a pumpkin cat.

The teeth on the other two are certain to give a dentist nightmares.

Stacey's pumpkins this yearStacey's pumpkins this year (Image: Stacey Wilkes)

Claire Downing has also made a captivating pair of pumpkins.

She's carved a freaky figure and a delicately detailed bat into hers, which sit before the glowing light to make it seem like they are emerging from the moon.

Claire has got skillsClaire has got skills (Image: Claire Downing)

Meanwhile, Adele Dellyhead Bullock has a range of three pumpkins with different designs, from the traditional pumpkin scary head to one that reads 'RIP LP' and a scary bear with a pumpkin face stomach.

Extra credit here for the bear as that took carving two heads.

The bear witjh two freaky faces is another genius designThe bear witjh two freaky faces is another genius design (Image: Adele Dellyhead Bullock)

Emma Louise Keylock has two very cute pumpkins sitting outside her home, from an adorable cat with whiskers to a smiling toothy face.

These two are adorableThese two are adorable (Image: Emma Louise Keylock)

Another resident, Daisy Hart, has taken a leaf out of Frankenstein's book, creating a similar monster with her pumpkin that has the top of his head 'stitched' on while her other pumpkin has a goofy face.

A pumpkin Frankenstein would be proud ofA pumpkin Frankenstein would be proud of (Image: Daisy Hart)

Finally, Rita Taylor shared her incredible designs, which include a bat hanging upside down and a witch with a crooked hat and clawing fingers.

A cracking go at a cackling witch hereA cracking go at a cackling witch here (Image: Rita Taylor)

Over in Shaw, there has been a Halloween shop window competition, with Artisan claiming the winning title after an "overwhelming number of votes" for the best-dressed window in Shaw.

The shop shows possibly the most stylish-looking skeleton-witch, riding a broomstick with silver cowboy boots, as she floats in the shop window.

Artisan has created a very artsy and stylish dead witchArtisan has created a very artsy and stylish dead witch (Image: I Love Shaw)

The competition was launched by I Love Shaw Facebook page, and Artisan can expect to receive a prize for their efforts.

The I Love Shaw Facebook page announced Lewelles, Whispers and Cissie Barlows were runners-up. 

How are you celebrating Halloween this year?

Send us your spooky displays, costumes, party or pumpkins in the comments below, on Facebook or email me directly at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk