Take the horror out of Halloween

SURELY it’s time to call a halt to the outrageous exploitation of Halloween?

Not so long ago it was a time for games with apples on a string, barm brack, pumpkin faces — a bit of fun on the night before All Saints’ Day.

Now, in what appears to be a market-driven rush to part us parents from our money, after back-to-school but before Christmas, there are all kinds of ugly things for sale in the shops.