Many a ghostly tale has been concocted in the pub spurred on by one too many ales and a plethora of spirits.

But there is one enduring ghost story in the heart of Brighton which may well have some truth behind it.

The tale of Deryck Carver, the first ever Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake in Lewes in 1555, is one that has captured the imagination of hundreds of people, partly because its origins are based entirely in fact.

Carver was also Brighton's first brewer and built up the Black Lion brewery in Black Lion Street from scratch.

The heady beer he made, Black Lion ale, was hugely popular but Carver's views did not go down so well with religious leaders of the time.

Despite Carver's downfall the brewery survived until 1974 and now Carver's ghost is said to haunt the cellars of The Black Lion pub, just up the road from where the brewery once stood.

There are said to be ghostly noises and goings-on in the pub throughout the year but on July 22, the anniversary of Carver's death, they are said to reach fever pitch.

Carver is said to cause all sorts of commotion in the cellar and staff say they can feel a presence in the pub and regularly see apparitions.

Pauline Davy, manager of The Black Lion for the last three years, said she has never seen his ghost but said there is definitely a spooky presence in the cellar.

She said: "Everybody talks about the ghost and although I've never seen it there is a place in the cellar where we can feel something. It is a scary presence as if something may have happened there. It is difficult to explain."

Other members of staff say they feel a presence in the pub too including one, who did not want to be named, who once left his mobile phone in the pub.

He said: "I forgot it but by that time the bar was all locked up and there was no way I was going back in there on my own with all the lights off."

Alan Murdie, an expert on ghosts in Brighton, is going to be in The Black Lion on Sunday to talk further about the ghost of Deryck Carver.

Mr Murdie said: "Deryck Carver was burned at the stake in Lewes for his religious beliefs rather than the quality of his beer. Although a devout Christian, Deryck was no puritan and ran a brewery until his arrest in October 1554.

"The story of his ghost walking the cellars was well known in the Fifties and remains to this day."

The story of Carver and his ghost will be told by Mr Murdie, author of Haunted Brighton, and will be followed by a walk around the area mentioning some other haunted sites in the city.

  • The event at the Black Lion pub starts at 1pm and is free.