The walking dead will invade Otley next week for a fiendishly frightening fundraiser.

A series of zombie games, involving teams of terrified human survivors fleeing from hordes of the 'undead', will take place on the town's streets on Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31.

Horror fan and local mum-of-three Mel Metcalfe and co-organiser Tom Featherstone have chosen a variety of suitably dramatic looking locations for Otley's Zombie Apocalypse Run – but are keeping them under wraps to increase the suspense.

Proceeds from the ghoulish fun will boost Mel's efforts to completely revamp the run-down playground at Newall Park, for a total cost of about £148,000.

She said: “We're really looking forward to it now, and are busy finishing the costumes and writing up instructions. There are quite a few 'apocalyptic' places in Otley that people might not think of that we'll be using for the games.

“It will be a bit like a giant game of tag, with survivors sent out in teams of six or eight and given maps, tasks and clues to get to the next location while being chased by the zombies. Anyone who's tagged will be sprayed with ultraviolet 'blood', which will show up at the next safe zone, and then they'll be turned into a zombie.

“People seem keen to take part and we have had quite a few pre-orders, but we still have tickets available for both nights and it's open to anyone aged 12 or over.”

About 50 zombies have been lined up to roam on both evenings.

Mel has enlisted expert help to ensure they look appropriately disgusting, with make-up artist Darren Grassby – who has worked on a Harry Potter movie and zombie film Before Dawn – leading the make-up and costumes team.

Tickets cost £15 and can be bought from Fusion GameXchange, on Market Street, Otley Health and Martial Arts Centre, on Orchard Gate, or by calling 07443 869457.

Ju-Jitsu student Mel has other fundraisers lined up too, starting this Saturday when she will be doing a sponsored grapple – with 21 opponents – at the martial arts centre. Her plans for Newall Park playground include creating a top play area with equipment suitable for all ages and abilities, a disabled access picnic area, and installing outdoor gym equipment.

A veteran fundraiser, Mel organised a mass bungee jump for premature baby charity Bliss in April, and ran an appeal last year that saw hundreds of gifts delivered to sick children in hospital over Christmas.