A Norfolk church invited people to battle the "forces of darkness" on Halloween.

St Mary Magdalene in Gorleston welcomed hundreds of trick-or-treaters into its "battle zone" to "discover light on a dark night."

People of all ages queued in the street to take on a series of challenges inside the pitch-black, smoke-filled church.

They were greeted by volunteers dressed as soldiers, and had to climb through a cobweb to enter.

Welcomed by war-weary dressed volunteers, the brave entered via climbing through a cobweb Welcomed by war-weary dressed volunteers, the brave entered via climbing through a cobweb (Image: Submitted)

Inside, they were tasked with shooting a witch, killing a whack-a-mole ghost, bobbing for apples and finding a diamond in a slime-filled bath.

Footsteps marked in blood led to each of the challenges, where clues were found.

A dead spider was found next to leather sandals, a witch was found with a bullet hole in her head next to a communion cup and bread, and 10 half-eaten apples were found within a crown of thorns.

Gorleston church hosts Halloween event to 'share message of Christ' Gorleston church hosts Halloween event to 'share message of Christ' (Image: Submitted)

The volunteer minding the slime bath directed participants to a large cross by the exit, covered in LED tea lights.

The "diamond" was found lit up at the foot of the cross.

The vicar explained to them that Christ had defeated "all the forces of darkness" through his death on the cross and they could acknowledge this by putting a tea light onto the cross.

St Mary Magdalene Gorleston welcomed hundreds trick or treating in their neighbourhood to bravely enter a ‘Battle Zone’ St Mary Magdalene Gorleston welcomed hundreds trick or treating in their neighbourhood to bravely enter a ‘Battle Zone’ (Image: Submitted)

This then allowed them to pass into the "light zone," where they were welcomed into a room and given hot chocolate and hot dogs.

The Rev Matthew Price, vicar of St Mary Magdalene church, said: “Too often the church has retreated into the safety of the more usual Light Party to avoid the cultural phenomenon of Halloween.

"We at St Mary Magdalene find it thrilling and more effective to share the message of Christ in a way that positively engages our wonderful community, whilst highlighting the powerful, yet remarkably loving way, that Christ defeats the powers of darkness in our world through his death.”