'Don't turn Halloween into a Covid-19 nightmare on your street' is the message from local public health teams.

They're asking families to arrange alternative Halloween activities so that children can enjoy themselves without taking the risk of going out in groups and calling at neighbours' homes.

Steve Brown, Deputy Director for Public Health Devon, said: "We might have lower than average cases in Devon, but there really is unnecessary risk in celebrating the traditional way with trick or treating. Our advice - just don't do it. Not this year.

"That doesn't mean for a minute don't have fun. I plan to. But do it from the safety of your own home."

So what can you do?

Among the ideas being put forward are:

Carve a pumpkin lantern and display it in your window for passers-by to see. For extra safety, the fire service advises using a battery-powered candle instead of a real flame.

You could also have a virtual pumpkin carving competition with your friends – share your lanterns via Zoom or Skype.

Decorate your house – there are plenty of templates and crafting ideas online.

Have a Halloween-themed treasure hunt in your home and/or in the garden, with hidden treats for children to find.

Have a Halloween movie night – nothing too scary for young children, though – with themed party food.

Public health teams are advising against door-to-door trick or treating, or even leaving bowls of sweets outside for children.

Any party with more than six people should be avoided. And do not wear a Halloween mask as a substitute for your normal face covering, as it will not keep you safe.

Don't waste your pumpkin!

Teignbridge council is urging pumpkin carvers not to throw away the scooped-out flesh from inside. Instead, the council has shared this easy recipe for pumpkin pie, found on the website Hubbub.org.uk which promotes environment-friendly living and reducing household waste.

Easy pumpkin pie

Ingredients

Pastry: 175g plain flour, sieved; 85g butter; 25g caster sugar; 1 egg yolk;1 tablespoon water.

Filling: 450g cooked pumpkin, mashed*; 200g light brown sugar; pinch of salt, 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon; pinch of ground allspice; half a teaspoon ground ginger; 2 large eggs; 375ml milk.

• To prepare the pumpkin flesh, cut into chunks, put in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover with a lid, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes, or until soft. Drain and mash.

Method

Rub the butter into the flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, then add egg yolk and water and mix to a firm dough.

Knead lightly and roll out to line a 22cm flan case. Bake 'blind' in a preheated oven 200°C, 180° C fan, Gas mark 6 for 10 minutes.

While the pastry case is baking you can prepare the filling. Combine sugar, salt and spices in small bowl; set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs with the pumpkin. Add the sugar mixture and beat again until combined.

Mix in the milk.

Pour the filling into the pie crust and put back into the oven. After 15 minutes turn the temperature down to 180° C, 160° C fan, Gas mark 4 and bake for a further 45 minutes or until the filling is set and you can insert a knife into the centre and it comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

There's still time to follow Dawlish's pumpkin trail!

Don't forget that pumpkins will be on display in several shops and businesses around Dawlish until Sunday (November 1), and there are three cash prizes for children who spot them all. Full details here Dawlish Pumpkin Trail