Is this a ghost or simply blurry CCTV footage of someone in a long coat closing a door? Experts say the figure in the long coat could be the best proof yet found that ghosts exist.

The CCTV footage was recorded in 2003 at Hampton Court Palace in London, once home to King Henry VII. Security staff heard alarms ringing near an exhibition hall which indicated that the fire doors had been opened. However upon investigation they found the doors closed. When the baffled security staff later examined the CCTV footage they were stunned to find that the cameras showed the heavy doors bursting open but no one there. Following this, suddenly, the figure appeared and slammed the doors closed. To add to the mystery the security staff were told that a similar thing had occurred the day previously and the day after, but no figure was caught on camera at those times.

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Australian tourists also reported to have seen a ghost near the exhibition area. The palace guides have been ruled out as suspects because they do not enter that part of the building.

“It was incredibly spooky because the face just didn’t look human.” said James Faukes, one of the security staff. “My first reaction was that someone was having a laugh, so I asked my colleagues to take a look. We spoke to our costumed guides, but they don’t own a costume like that worn by the figure. It is actually quite unnerving.” Faukes added.

The palace has been the scene of many dramatic and tragic royal events and is supposed to have several ghosts haunting its corridors.

Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman said the apparition might turn out to be a significant discovery to the paranormal field. “It could be the best ghost sighting ever,’ he said. ‘I haven’t seen anything that would match that at all.”