You could be a witch...

Witch required for Wookey Hole Caves - must be able to cackle

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A witch is being hunted to live in Wookey Hole Caves on a salary of £50,000 a year.

The tourist attraction near Wells, Somerset, has advertised at the local Job Centre for someone to teach visitors about witchcraft and magic after its previous employee retired.

The successful applicant 'must be able to cackle' and 'must not be allergic to cats' but will enjoy a salary of £50,000 pro rata based on work during school holidays and at weekends.

Wookey Hole said the role is open to men, women and even trans-gender witches to comply with sexual discrimination laws.

Legend has it that the caves were home to the Wookey Witch who was turned to stone by Father Bernard who had been appointed by the Abbott of Glastonbury to rid villagers of her curse.

"Wookey Hole wants the appointee to go about her everyday business as a hag, so that people passing through the caves can get a sense of what the place was like in the Dark Ages," said Daniel Medley, from Wookey Hole Caves.

"This was when an old woman lived in the caves with some goats and a dog, causing a variety of social ills including crop failures and disease.

"So the job is straightforward: live in the cave, be a witch, and do the things witches do."

The pro rata salary is based on work when required, mostly during the summer holidays but also at Halloween and Christmas time.

Auditions for the role are being held on July 28 in front of a panel of judges who will assess applicants costume and character as well as the ability to perform witch tests.

"Wookey Hole is advertising nationally and hopes to attract a strong field of candidates, with the £50,000 salary serving as a major incentive," Mr Medley said.

"Interviews for the post will involve on-site assessment incorporating a range or standard tasks.

"Ambitious witches, looking for a key career move, should turn up dressed for work and bring any essential witch accoutrements.

"A limited range of potion ingredients will be available.

"We are witchless at the moment so we need to get the role filled as soon as possible.

"We are looking for someone who is friendly, a little mischievous and with lots of character."

£50k a year sounds pretty good... until you realise it's pro-rata...