Paranormal researchers are investigating the sightings of a girl in Victorian dress on a road in the West Midlands, which locals say is an accident blackspot.

The late-night visions are occurring along Oldnall Road in the Halesowen area and are believed to have been responsible for a number of crashes and near-misses in the area in recent years.  

Investigators looking for a logical explanation for the mystery admit they are baffled.

David Taylor, chairman of the Parasearch group, said he had received reports that the apparition had been the cause of several accidents along the road between Wollescote and Cradley.

"Although the people who have reported the sightings didn't actually crash they were close to it because they had to swerve around the apparition and up onto the pavement,” he said.

"The area around there is an accident black spot and there have been some serious incidents so maybe they had seen the same thing.

"There could be a logical explanation for this, it could be an optical illusion of some sorts.

"For 22 years we have been running a group who investigate claims of the paranormal. Most of the time there is a logical explanation - but so far I haven't found one for this case.

"The image had been described as a small girl between the ages of three and five years old and wearing Victorian clothes.

"We are trying to find out any stories locals might have of the area which might explain what or who this could be."

Local resident Jimmy Lahn, 54, said: "We've had quite a few accidents on that road, I wouldn't be surprised if this ghostly figure has something to do with it.”

Resident say most of the crashes have been minor, but there have been a couple of serious incidents over the years.