IF ghosts could only speak, then 'Old Harriet' might be able to cast some additional light on our ongoing historic pub saga.

For the past several weeks the arm-bending faithful have been chipping in with the names of what they believe could be the oldest watering hole still in business within St Helens borough boundaries.

Harriet's ghost is said to flit around the Wheatsheaf, a landmark pub on the Rainford By-pass which recently underwent major refurbishment.

Manager Martin Pugott (mine host back in 1998), in forwarding the Wheatsheaf as a possible candidate for the oldest-pub accolade, chips in with some interesting info.

"The original inn," he writes, "was built about 1775, being used as a stagecoach stop between St Helens and Ormskirk.

"The existing public bar was, in fact, the coachman's kitchen. And the outhouses to the rear of the pub were used as stables and a wheelwright and blacksmith's shop."

Martin adds that the Wheatsheaf was acquired in 1825 by the Greenall family who began brewing beer in St Helens (Hall Street)in 1761.

Since then, the old inn had been altered considerably, the familiar front bay windows being added in 1901.

Customers can study a photograph in the pub, taken in 1880, when it was then owned by an Anne Bradley.

Martin continues in intriguing vein: "Indeed, it is rumoured that the lady on the far left of our photo is Harriet, a future landlady of the Wheatsheaf who actually died here and whose ghost is said to haunt the building.

"She has actually been seen in the past; and evidence of her presence has also been made evident to myself."

Hoping that this puts the Wheatsheaf in the front running as at least one of the oldest pubs in St Helens, Martin has kindly invited me to pop down to check out on Harriet.

WELL, I suppose, if her ghostly presence doesn't put in an appearance, there are other kinds of spirits there that might prove of consolation!