It is more than 103 years since a young woman was brutally murdered in one of Brighton's most popular pubs.

Lucy Packham was 32 when her husband killed her in a fit of rage after pushing her into a grave-like pit in a corner of the Marlborough Hotel.

Now, a century since her grisly death, some regulars swear Lucy lives on.

Dozens of customers at the Marlborough claim they have felt Lucy's ghostly presence and seen her poltergeist-like activities.

Manager Sue Kerslake said the ghost's mischievous pranks included tampering with lights, switching off the gas on beer taps and shattering a row of bottles by sweeping them off a shelf behind the bar.

Her presence has been the subject of speculation and debate for decades. Earlier this year, the United Paranormal Research Society claimed to have officially verified Lucy's existence.

The ghostbusters said Lucy's impish activities were typical of pub hauntings.

Lucy was a regular victim of beatings and abuse at the hands of her violent husband, Tom, who was later convicted of her murder.

Sue, who has managed the pub for more than three years, agreed with the ghostbusters' assessment.

She said: "When I thought about it, she was beaten to death by her husband, so she probably didn't like men too much. I feel she is able to show herself a lot more now because she is more comfortable with female company.

"It's not scary because she isn't nasty and she's been here a lot longer than me anyway."

Sue described how she had seen lampshades twirling violently when Lucy was in the room and often had a feeling of being watched.

She said: "I've never seen her properly, just fleeting glimpses when I've been in the pub on my own.

"A psychic who came with the paranormal society said she could see a figure wearing a black dress and jet beads. She said the black beads came through very clearly."

Sue tells all new members of staff about the resident sprite. No one has been put off the job but many are scared to set foot in the cellar.

Paula Madhlope-Phillips, of St James's Street, said she did not believe in ghosts until she started work at the Marlborough two years ago.

She said: "Maybe it's my overactive imagination but I do think there's something in it, even though I don't really believe in ghosts. I've known Sue for a long time and she's not the sort of person to make things up.

"Sometimes you do feel like there's someone in the bar with you even if you can't see anyone else there.

"It was particularly strange when the beer gases kept going off because you can't just switch them off. And I can't explain why all the lights went out either."