A “spooky” old rocking horse said to have transported itself from room to room is coming up for sale at a Kent auction house.

The early 20th century curio is being sold by the great-granddaughter of its original owner Dick Godden – a renowned medium of the time who used it in his Folkestone home to help summon the spirits.

The wooden grey dappled horse, possibly by the maker Lines, is listed by the Canterbury Auction Galleries to sell for between £200 and £300 at the sale on July 30.

But its owner, Kelly, who does not want to be fully named, says she cannot sell it without a potential buyer knowing its paranormal past.

“I really feel that whoever bids on it should know, even though I realise that might put some people off,” she said.

The mum, who is in her mid-30s, says the rocking horse has been handed down through the family but her 10-year-old daughter is not keen to ride it.

She said: “I remember playing on it as a child and it never bothered me – but she’s just never been drawn to it, which is surprising.”

Kelly recalls stories from her grandmother about how the rocking horse would be in a certain place in one room when she went out but had moved, even as far as the landing, when she returned – even though no one else was in the property.

Her great-grandfather Mr Godden held seances in his home and was also a ghost hunter who believed a little girl called Angela was playing on the horse.

He is recorded in a book called Phantom Ladies by Andrew Green as being involved in identifying a ghost in an old Folkestone theatre and picture house. The spirit was said to be the haunting mother of a little boy who was killed when a light fell on him.

Kelly says that although the rocking horse, now on her landing, has not moved, she often hears a banging noise coming from upstairs while she is working.

“It’s often quite loud, as if someone is walking around, but there’s no one up there,” she said

“I’m sure some people will think I’m crazy but I just feel uneasy having it about the place, especially as my daughter isn’t interested in it.”