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Some would have you believe there is an entire subterranean world under Hull while others will tell you there is no depth to the rumours. But scratch below the surface and you will find the city does harbour some underground secrets.

Hull may not be able to rival the catacombs of Paris, the salt mines of Krakow or Mary King's Close in Edinburgh but there are interesting discoveries if you are prepared to do a little digging.

From ancient tunnel networks used by monks to vast underground drains you can drive a Mini through, Hull has its fair share of subterranean treasures.

A labyrinth of tunnels, vaults and storerooms lie hidden under the bustling city streets. Some are opened to the public from time to time but many are in the hands of private ownership.

Local historian Mike Covell is fascinated by the city's subterranean world but he accepts getting access is not that easy.

"The problem in Hull is that many of the tunnels and vaults are below privately owned businesses and properties," he said. "You might be let in if you ask but there isn't a lot of public access."

Paragon Station tunnel

That said, there is a fascinating array of hidden gems. Perhaps one of the better know tunnels is that leading from Paragon Station to the Mercure Royal Hotel which has storerooms on each side.

There are toilets and even a barber shop underneath, while some of the rooms are used by the hotel to store bedding.

The tunnel is sometimes opened to the public for tours and during open heritage days. But there is no substance to rumours of a royal connection, as Mr Covell explains.

"There have been rumours Queen Victoria walked down there but it's nonsense," he said. "A very elaborate walkway was created at the station for her to use.

He added: "There is some quite old and fine brick works in the tunnel. It was built around the same time as the hotel in the late 1840s, early 1850s.

"The tunnel allowed the hotel to bring stock direct from the trains to the premises. The rail network in Hull back then was enormous."

Barracuda Bar vaults and Sugar Mill tunnels

Unsuspecting drinkers at the Barracuda Bar, now closed, would have had no idea they were sitting above a large network of vaults.

The building was once the exchange where businessman in the city would go to barter and clinch deals. The merchants would store their goods, alcohol and cash in the vaults below.

In the 1980s, the building became the juvenile court and the storerooms became holding cells for Hull's misbehaving youth.

Perhaps those same people at the Barracuda would then head to the Sugar Mill nightclub in Dagger Lane. This building, once the corn exchange, has several bricked up tunnels underneath but what they were used for remains a mystery.

Dram Shop and smugglers

Another city centre pub, the Dram Shop in George Street, has a large subterranean storage area.

"This is a really old pub and there is a tunnel underneath used for storage," Mr Covell explained. "But it faces the same problem as other underground areas in that it fills up with water regularly due to Hull's high water table."

There are rumours of a network of tunnels around the River Hull, with suggestions they were used for smuggling.

"There are rumours of a tunnel from the Ye Olde Black Boy to the River Hull," Mr Covell. "There was some excavation work carried out which did confirm there was some kind of tunnel underneath. There are romantic tales of the tunnels being used for smuggling but there is no proof of this."

Sutton castle

Going back further in time, there is a network of tunnels in Sutton where a motte and bailey castle once stood. These were used by monks to get to Hull from their monasteries in outlying areas like Swine.

"There are stories of ghostly monks haunting the tunnels," Mr Covell said. "But the grade two listed structures are all filled in now. We don't really know what the monks used them for, whether to escape persecution or for trade."

Drewton Tunnel

Just outside Hull near Little Weighton is Drewton Tunnel. The disused railway tunnel on the Hull to Barnsley railway line opened in 1885 but closed in 1958.

It is one of the longest disused tunnels in the UK at a length of 1 mile and 354 yards. One end is almost entirely buried with landfill as the result of quarrying operations. The other entrance remains open although is protected with a security fence.

Despite its continual decay Drewton Tunnel is now home to a large number of bats.

Giant sewers

A more modern tunnel was the vast sewer built by Yorkshire Water in the 1990s. It was so big the company drove a Mini through it to demonstrate its sheer size. The sewer runs alongside the Humber estuary and was part of a £200m project stretching 10 km and is 3.6 metres in diameter.

So, with an impressive underground portfolio, could Hull capitalise on its depths? Mr Covell does not think it is very likely.

"It would be fantastic open them up and link them as a tourist attraction but it would be very difficult," he said. "The other problem is that many of the underground areas fill up with water or silt because Hull has such a high water table."

Safe havens during Second World War bombing

Hull's residents were particularly thankful for the subterranean spaces during the Blitz. They provided a safe haven as the Nazi bombs rained down on the city.

The Air Raid Precautions Command was based in Ferensway at the former Shell Mex House. Needless to say much of this was underground but it was not immune to the bombs and it was hit by an explosive which killed a number of people.

Among the dead was Dr David Diamond, the deputy medical officer, and PC Robert Garton, who was on duty at the door of the building. After the explosion no trace of Garton could be found, just scraps of his uniform.

The building still exists, as does the basement. And down below, people have since seen an apparition of a man wearing blue trousers walking up the stairs.

• Historian and author Mike Covell runs a series of ghost and heritage tours in Hull and the East Riding. Visit his website Amazing Hull Tours for more information.