The REAL Blair Witch haunting that new horror film is based on

A new documentary has highlighted the terrifying ordeal of a family which is believed to be the inspiration for the new Blair Witch film currently terrifying cinema goes.

Documentary Cursed tells the real-life story of the Bell family who claimed to be terrorised by a witch poltergeist for four years in the US town of Adams, Tennessee.

Appearing in the documentary is Bell Witch expert Pat Fitzhugh, who has been investigating the case for more than 30 years.

Recalling the eerie tale, he said: “One night in 1817 the family began to hear rapping on the walls. These disturbing noises became worse each night.

“The Bells would even hear faint whispers. The children would go to bed and try to go to sleep and feel something tugging at their bedcovers.

“After a while this thing got meaner.”

He continued: “The disturbances kept getting worse and these whispers were turning into a voice which they could understand.

“Whatever this thing was it was there to make sure John Bell died the slowest most miserable death possible.

“He began having episodes where he couldn’t swallow properly and felt like something was stuck in his mouth."

Pat concluded: “A doctor tried to save John's life but in December 1820 he died. There is still no explanation for his death, even today.”

After John’s death the family’s ordeal at the hands of the supernatural force ceased.

The identity of the apparition and why it targeted the Bell family remains unknown.

While the spook goings on may have stopped, for some the nightmare was just beginning.