A FANCY dress business has taken on almost 30 extra workers to cope with demand for ghoulish Halloween costumes.

Bosses at online retailer All Fancy Dress, in Fulmar Way, Wickford, have noticed the celebration growing in popularity over recent years.

Orders have been flooding in for zombie-inspired make-up and costumes, which have proven to be this year’smassive sellers.

Michael O’Connell, managing director of the website, said: “Halloween is always very busy for us, but it’s getting busier year-on-ear.

“People really seem to be getting behind it now, and it’s almost in the same league as Christmas and Easter.

“Everyone can celebrate Halloween, and a lot of people combine it with Bonfire Night.

Summer is over, the kids have gone back to school, and it’s a good excuse for a party.’’ All Fancy Dress stocks a range of scary outfits including devils, pumpkins, skeletons and monsters.

Vampires and witches have traditionally been top sellers, but customers are now favouring newoutfits, including those inspired by popular horror movies.

All Fancy Dress usually survives with 12 staff throughout the year.

But there are currently 40 workers processing orders for Halloween, on Friday, October 31.

The warehouse is piled high with boxes, which contain props and accessorie,s including fake weapons, contact lenses, fake blood, tights, plastic teeth and masks.

Mr O’Connell added: “It’s certainly great fun."

All Fancy Dress recently carried out a national survey which showed 77 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds celebrated Halloween 2013, with many planning to spent up to £100 on outfits this year.

Last year alone, 6.5million British homes welcomed trickor- treaters.

For more information, visit www.allfancydress.com