cats, witches, ghosts and goblins concept.

Thanks to slick marketing and the pervasion of television and computer games in the home, many of those roaming neighbourhoods and public thoroughfares, and whooping it up at house parties, will be miniatures of Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, the Lion King, Star Trekers, the Brimstone Baron and more.

But at least, when it comes to choosing a costume, political, ethnic and whatever-else correctness play no part.

While many little girls still prefer the pretty-pretty, feminine themes -- princesses, ice skaters, nurses, and angels -- and boys go for the gruesome, gory, and macho -- pirates, vampires, cavemen, crash dummies and the like -- both sexes admire characters who are physically aggressive.

At least, that seems to be the consensus of youngsters Taste interviewed in the shops this week.

"I'm going to be a vampire because they bite people,'' nine-year-old Leonard Adams explained.

But what about the Power Rangers? "Oh no,'' he said. "They're for small people.'' Six-year-old Chaki Smith said he was going to be a Ninja turtle "because he's a good fighter''.

Asked what his favourite subject was, however, he responded: "Skeletons''.

Gore and plenty of it is what Kieran Bradshaw (12) has in mind when he ventures out to his school's big Hallow'een Fair.

"I am going to be Jason,'' he said. "He wears this old-fashioned hockey mask and nobody has ever seen his face. Underneath it's supposed to be really gory and disgusting, and that's how I'm going to do my face. I like blood and gore.'' So, apparently, does his school chum, Edward Blakeley (11). Surveying the rows of costume accoutrements -- fake bones, claws, teeth, jelly eyes and the rest -- he said: "I like the blood capsules best. You stick them in your pocket and get somebody to punch you, and all the blood comes out.'' On the other hand, Edward doesn't like sticky face paint -- "Bugs get stuck in it,'' he explained.

A little boy too shy to give his name, fingering a Dracula blood and fang kit, was patently disappointed to get a negative response to his question: "Is this real blood?'' Emulation, not just of TV, comic book and other fantasy characters, but siblings, also figured in choosing a costume.

Four-year-old Amy Hamilton was planning to be "a girl pirate'' because "my boyfriend is a pirate''.

Eight-year-old Rebecca Webb, gearing up for her first-ever Hallow'een (she comes from Britain, where it is not celebrated), along with her older brother Christopher (10) and twin brothers Jeremy and Charlie (5), was in no doubt about her sex but, like many a younger sister, wanted to be in sync with her older brother.

"I'm going to be Peter Pan and he's going to be Captain Hook,'' she said. All four children were delighted with the discovery of pull-over hoods with black, featureless faces through which they could see out but no-one could see in.

Charlie's eye was taken with a rubber sword -- a reasonable replica by anyone's standards. After careful consideration, however, he put it back.

"Too bendy,'' he said.

Magic Boyles (8) is a Power Ranger fan, but has no idea what costume he'll actually be wearing on the 31st.

"My mamma's making it,'' he said.

Bemused by what appeared two half gourds laced together with twine (actually the top half of a two-part Polynesian costume), Leonard naively wrapped it around his chest and said: "What is this?'' "This may come as a surprise to you, Leonard,'' Kieran began, "but you are not a woman!'' Leonard got the message, and the big brown "bra'' was rapidy replaced on the peg.

For Stephanie Paiva (10), the magic of Hallowe'en isn't what it was, although she admitted she had was putting together a costume from her regular wardrobe, and would be trick or treating around her grandfather's neighbourhood.

"I'm wearing an all-black outfit, with skeleton necklace and earrings,'' she said.

Costumes aside, asked what they liked best about Hallowe'en, the responses were mixed.

For the younger children it was, "Scaring people and candy,'' while older youngsters were becoming jaded.

Kieran and Edward complained that the treats were getting "boring'' and sickly.

"People have started giving us apples,'' they said, "and really sickening candy, which is really rich.'' The rude, destructive behaviour of some trick or treaters, along with the commercialisation of Hallowe'en, has robbed the event of much of its enjoyment for many children.

"Bermuda isn't fun any more,'' said a 15-year-old, who declined to give her name. "It's not as safe as it used to be. Once, it was like Christmas -- you really looked forward to it, but now it's just a normal day. People today only like Hallow'een to get candy.'' Indeed, many children will not be haunting neighbourhoods again this year because of anti-social behaviour. Instead, they will gather at private parties, and the ever-popular Saltus fair to have their fun.

But even these events have their share of been-there, done-that kids.

"You only get a trophy for winning the best costume prize, and it's not gold.

It's only plastic that looks like gold,'' one school boy complained.

"They should have something for second and third place, and the winning prize should be more useful.'' Like what? "A fake make-up kit,'' he said, to puzzled looks from his friend.

In an effort to play down the violent and gruesome themes of Hallowe'en, many pre-schools and kindergartens are promoting costumes with nursery-rhyme themes, such as Bo Peep and Mickey Mouse. Some make it a family affair.

"We have a party, and the parents come in costume as well as the teachers and children,'' Woodlands Playhouse Nursery head teacher Miss Liz Fuzzey said.

"We play games and have refreshments.''