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Secret underground tunnels can be seen for the first time in these incredible pictures after the removal of a single brick led to their discovery.

'The Great Tunnel' was found in Liverpool by workers who say they are over the moon to find what they've been hoping to uncover for decades.

Although tunnel is well documented in the history books - after being included in army surveys as far back as 1882 - historians digging at the Smithdown Lane site had until now struggled to locate it.

The last attempt, which took place over 10 years ago, lead to the discovery of a brick wall which was 6ft thick, leaving diggers disappointed and unable to access the entrance.

However earlier this week at Williamson Tunnels site, after digging down 17ft using a JCB, a single brick which forms part of an arch over of the tunnel was unearthed.

(Image: Liverpool Echo WS) (Image: Liverpool Echo WS) (Image: Chris Illes/Friends Of Williamson's Tunnels)

Despite the find being anticipated for years, Chris Illes who volunteers with Friends of The Williamsons Tunnels, the group tasked with unearthing the tunnels, said they were reluctant to celebrate in case they were mistaken.

He said: "We found a single brick but we weren’t sure if it was just a dumped brick or whether it formed part of the wall.

"Once we realised it formed part of the brick arch we were over the moon but we were all a bit reluctant to shout or get too excited in case it turned out not to be.

(Image: Liverpool Echo) (Image: Liverpool Echo)

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

"We've been trying to find it for years and it’s been well documented but we just didn’t want to shout about it until we knew it was the right one."

Although the tunnel has been unearthed, it is not yet safe to access - instead volunteers have placed a small camera down an opening to explore the tunnels.

(Image: Chris Illes/Friends Of Williamson's Tunnels) (Image: Liverpool Echo WS)

(Image: Chris Illes/Friends Of Williamson's Tunnels)

Next week, they are hoping they can dig out more of the area around the tunnel so that it can be further explored, but say it could be months before it is fully excavated.

Chris added: "It could take weeks or months before we find out any more, but hopefully one day.

"It will take several years. We could dig it up and make it safe for visitors to come and look at it.”

Williamson Tunnels is the name given to the underground labyrinth below the Liverpool’s Edge Hill district built in the early years of the 1800s.

They were created by the philanthropist Joseph Williamson, after whom they are named, but the exact reason for their construction is still a mystery.

Friends of Williamson Tunnels have been working tirelessly for the last four years to remove tonnes of infill from the deep chambers below the Edge Hill district of the city.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

(Image: Liverpool Echo) (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Chris Iles said: "Since we commenced our Big Dig in November 2012 we have filled nearly 150 skips, approximately 1,200 tonnes, of mixed infill which has been removed by hand without any mechanical aids.

"We have recovered several hundred artefacts from the infill including some attractive pieces of pottery and other finds which help to shed more light on what the Victorians valued in that period."