Dover's WW2 white cliffs tunnels reopened by National Trust Published duration 20 July 2015 Related Topics World War Two

media caption John Maguire reports from the Dover tunnels: Organisers hope for a ''very atmospheric'' experience for visitors

A labyrinth of tunnels built beneath the white cliffs of Dover during World War Two has been reopened.

The Fan Bay Deep Shelter was constructed on the orders of Winston Churchill to help stop German ships in the English Channel.

They were forgotten about after being blocked-up in the 1970s.

After the National Trust rediscovered the tunnels, volunteers dug out 100 tonnes of rubble and soil to open up the 325 sq m network.

image copyright PA image caption The tunnels housed hundreds of soldiers who manned gun batteries

The tunnels were built in 100 days by the Royal Engineers and were dug 23m below the coastline.

They housed nearly 200 soldiers who manned the defensive and offensive gun batteries guarding the Channel.

The National Trust has described the bomb-proof network as a "time capsule".

image copyright PA image caption A stone carving of a man's head was discovered during the restoration

image copyright PA image caption Volunteers found lots of graffiti that had been etched into the walls

Inside there is graffiti on the walls and a stone carving which is possibly a self-portrait of one of the men who worked there.

There are also two stone sound mirrors, which were used to detect aircraft before the development of radar.

image copyright PA image caption The tunnels were reopened after 50 volunteers cleared them of rubble

image copyright PA image caption Sound mirrors were used to detect aircraft before radar was developed

Jon Barker from the National Trust said: "This rediscovered piece of the country's Second World War heritage is a truly remarkable find.

"There has been no public access to the tunnels for over 40 years and so they remain much as they were when they were abandoned.

"We've carried out extensive conservation work to preserve both the natural decay and authentic atmosphere of the space."

Members of the public will be allowed to visit the tunnels on torch-lit guided tours from Monday.