BUILDERS working on the old shopping arcade on Tavistock?s Brook Street, were baffled when they stumbled into a network of narrow tunnels. The tunnels, hidden far beneath Old Exeter Road, were discovered after builders knocked through a wall. The tunnels, which are interspersed with small chambers, have bricked walls and in places are carved from the surrounding rock. At first, their extent was not known or whether there was another entrance to them ? after 40 metres in length the ground becomes so boggy there is a danger of unwary explorers becoming stuck in the dark passageways 30ft below street level. Local historians and archaeologists called to the scene have yet to agree on the original purpose of the tunnels, as there appears to be no reference to them on old maps. Among more popular suggestions are a hiding place for 17th century monks fleeing persecution, a smuggler?s store, and a subterranean dwelling created for a noteable individual fearing the imminent invasion of Britain during one of the world wars. Why the old tunnels had been sealed over was also a mystery ? what was it about the passageways that needed to be hidden? Who had sealed them and when? That answer came from Mary Thompson who bought the building back 1976 and had been told about the tunnels by the previous owner, one Gerald Bawden. Mrs Thomspon said he had covered the hole with a caravan built on site to help his gypsy wife acclimatise to town living. After her death, he used the tunnels to store his vast collection of fine furniture which he had intended to restore and sell. But as he grew increasingly senile, the classic pieces lay neglected. By the time Mrs Thompson brought the property the furniture had succumbed to the ravages of woodworm. Gerald Bawden, who has since died, believed the tunnels had been made under the orders of one of the Dukes of Bedford, although where he got this information is not known. It was said the Duke had come to believe that the town sat on top of an inexhaustible supply of precious minerals and dedicated much of his time and money looking to add to his already substantial fortune. When she brought the property in 1976, Mrs Thompson had small children and feared they may somehow find their way into the tunnels so she decided to seal them up ? which is how they have remained for three decades. Before sealing them Mrs Thompson was able to explore the tunnels thoroughly and estimates they continue as far as 70 metres before opening out into a large chamber mined from the surrounding rock. Local historians have yet to find any evidence to support Mr Bawden?s explanation but have not ruled it out. Many more of the Duke?s tunnels are rumored to lie far beneath the streets of Tavistock but their whereabouts are unknown. The Times is interested in hearing from anyone who has information about the tunnels ? call us on 01822 613666 or email [email protected]">[email protected]