This year will be Dexter’s first ever attempt at trick or treating. The costume is ready, we’ve gathered a band of kiddies together and are all set to hunt down those sweets. Until now he’s been a bit scared of ghosts and ghouls and would cry if they appeared in any of his programmes, but having worked out it is entirely plausible that he might see a few Spider-Mans or Captain Americas on All Saints’ Eve, he’s quickly come around to the idea - ghosts or no ghosts!

So not only is this Dexter’s first real Halloween, it’ll be mine too. I used to draw the curtains, turn off the lights and ignore the door-knocking before now. I’ve seen Scream one too many times to appreciate strangers beating down my door with ski masks on. However, this year we’ve got bunting, cobweb spray and fake blood at the ready to make a real occasion of it. I’ll also be popping a pumpkin on my doorstep to let the local kids know I have bucket loads of Haribo for them to plunder.

Luckily for me, Ladbrokes Bingo have commissioned a leading artist to create some easy-to-use Halloween-themed stencils for pumpkin carving. These are free to download and perfect for beginners like me. Given I haven’t wielded a pumpkin knife before now, I can’t say I’ve been looking forward to this bit. I’ve heard it’s right fiddly to do and I’m hardly Kirstie Allsopp’s estranged cousin - you won’t find Pritt Stick or a sewing machine in this house.

I won’t be alone either. According to Mintel, retail sales of Halloween products in the UK are expected to reach £240m this year, a 4% growth from last year’s £230m. With major companies like Starbucks moving in on pumpkin mania with drinks like their spiced latte and the growing popularity of horror related TV shows like (the absolutely awesome) American Horror Story, Ladbrokes have shared these stencils just in time to save hundreds of adults like me from inevitable failure.

Those wishing to see pumpkins carved by experts Sand in Your Eye and download the easy-to-use stencils can do so at the Ladbrokes site. Happy carving & do feel free to leave me a comment with your own pumpkin creations!