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A mysterious underground street has been unearthed in Stockton town centre - along with subterranean tunnels leading from it.

The astonishing 250-year-old homes were discovered during a £1m refurbishment of Gloucester House, on Church Road, into luxury offices.

Jeff Highfield, who now owns the Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse was astonished when he came across the ‘lost’ underground dwellings.

The tiny low-ceilinged rooms still have ageing wooden window frames and solid wooden doors and door frames.

Set into the walls are cavities to hold candles for lighting, and what could be a larder.

Thick with cobwebs, another room appears to be some kind of animal enclosure.

Jeff, 49, was fascinated by the find and has spoken to local historians in an effort to shed some light on the lost street.

“What we found is what appears to be the living quarters from we assume some 200 years ago or more,” he said.

“There used to be access to street level and according to the previous mayors that have been down here we believe these are tunnels that link to other parts of Stockton.

“This used to be effectively a street below the street - living quarters for people that were not very tall I think.

“We believe they used to store animals - being opposite the cattle market we believe that is the case,” he said. “But trying to find any history about it is very difficult.”

What we do know is that the terrace of elegant individual Georgian townhouses was once known as ‘Paradise Row’.

It is was built by wealthy members of Stockton society prior to the town morphing from an important agricultural and livestock trading town and port, into a busy industrial and manufacturing centre after the arrival of the railways in the late 1820’s.

Even prior to the First World War the homes would have become too large for even middle-class family occupation and the necessary domestic-staff.

These domestic staff may have once occupied the underground homes - but that doesn’t explain the tunnels.

Following its demise as an upmarket residence Gloucester House became a hotel and much later a planning office for the local authority.

:: Can you shed some light on the underground street and its mysterious tunnels? Email mike.blackburn@trinitymirror.com