I really don’t know where I stand on Halloween – although I do have plenty of sweets ready in case trick or treaters come knocking on my door, unlikely though that may be in our village - writes Clinton Rogers.

I do know it divides public opinion; between those who think it’s a crass American import and those that believe it’s the perfect excuse for harmless fun.

On balance, I think it’s more an excuse for retailers to fleece us of our hard earned cash.

I spotted one piece of research that says Halloween is now the third biggest annual shopping event for supermarkets, after Christmas and Easter.

Four in 10 Halloween costumes are worn just once before being binned, generating an estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste.

Now there’s food for thought.

Today Halloween really has grown a life of its own.

I nearly jumped out of my skin walking past a house the other day.

We were in London visiting our son.

Not only did this terraced house have the scariest creatures in the front garden (skeletons, witches and all)… they actually sang a rather menacing song as you walked past, all motion activated.

It is truly amazing (perhaps depressing) what you can buy these days to "decorate" your home.

How about an outdoor display consisting of a giant black spider – 1.2 metres (4ft) wide – hanging from a 6 metre web that hooks on to your guttering?

Or stretchable cobwebs – sufficient to cover 20 square metres.

All available online.

Honestly - the rubbish traditions we import from America!

Well, no.

In fact Halloween hails from Scotland.

I’m led to believe it started as a celebration that was influenced by Celtic harvest festivals from centuries ago.

It’s true that the more modern version of the event (that includes trick or treating and wearing spooky costumes) did take a hold in America during the 20th century.

But I’m afraid our fair island started it all.

Now pumpkins are on supermarket shelves everywhere.

And who had ever heard of "pick your own" pumpkin farms until a few years ago?

Anyway, for what it’s worth, if you want my advice, it is this:

If you like Halloween stock up with sweets and get your costumes ready to be even more scary than the kids who knock on your door.

If you don’t, then turn out all your lights and hide in the room furthest from the front door – you might just get away with it!