THERE'S been a massive reaction to the 'spooky' Stevenston photo from last week with one reader even filtering the picture in an attempt to see it better.

The original photo showed 12-year-old Courtney with her five-year-old sister Elise behind a bonfire at Stevenston beach.

Since it was printed we've been inundated with calls and emails form readers expressing what they think they can see.

Mike Franklin, who filtered the photo, said: "I have taken the liberty of running it through a few filters to try and coax out as much of the mysterious third person as possible.

"There is something going on with the younger of the two children in the image. You will note that it appears as though her left leg and foot are somehow detached from the leg above the knee. I think this is due to the child moving her left leg from a standing position, in an upward motion, just as the photo was taken.

"As for the spectral visitor I make no statement as to authentication or value." One woman from Ohio in the USA even got in touch. She said: If I had to choose between ghost or smoke, I'd have to say ghost. An interesting photo." Other reader comments included: "It looks like someone kneeling down on their right knee, with the left hand resting on the left leg, and left elbow sticking to the side." Liam Young shared his thoughts: "I think the picture looks like an American Cowboy down on one knee with his arms sticking out with a head like someone out of the Simpsons, two massive eyes and a moustache." Joan Tano also got in touch: "I'm writing from Joppa, MD, USA.

"I wouldn't know how to recognise a Scottish soldier; however, the image clearly looks like a man to me, on bended (right) knee, with his left hand on his raise left knew. He has a belt that's darker than his outfit, and he's wearing a hat that rather looks like a turban or, perhaps, a beret.

"We take photography for granted, but it's a totally amazing thing. I think the man is not a ghost but, rather, one of NATURE'S photographs, created by a specific ( but investigated) atmospheric condition. I think a man posed there, and that someone at one time had a photo of him." More comments came from one local woman. She added: "I was looking at the picture of the ghost on Steventson beach and I can defiantly see something.

"It looks like a man crouching down with one hand on his knee and he looks as if he is wearing a gas mask or a pilots mask on his face. It is very creepy." Another said: "When I see a picture that contains some mysterious "person" in the background, I dismiss such nonsense if it isn't perfect. I " feel that if someone or God is trying to tell us something through a picture, it must be perfect, that is, no mistake or mistakes. If it creates doubt or doubts, forget it." What are your thoughts? Contact us on 01294 464321 or email us at editorial@ardrossanherald.co.uk