Vampire fears boost garlic sales in Serbia

Sales of garlic have been boosted in western Serbia following speculation a vampire is on the loose.

A local council issued a public health warning stating notorious vampire Sava Savanovic – who is the country's most famous monster – is thought to have been roaming the area after his old home, a watermill on the Rogacica river, at Zarozje village in the municipality of Bajina Basta, collapsed due to lack of repair.

Miodrag Vujetic, the local mayor, is quoted by the Austrian Times as saying: “People are worried.

“Everybody knows the legend of this vampire and the thought that he is now homeless and looking for somewhere else and possibly other victims is terrifying people. We are all frightened.”

Sava was said to have drank the blood of anyone who came to his home to mill their grai, and locals fear he may be back in the area after his old house – which has since been bought by a family who were concerned about carrying out building work on the mill for fear of angering the vampire – collapsed.