Work starts on nuclear bunker

David France in the bunker where he was second in command

English Heritage is spending £250,000 on restoring an atomic bunker in York to ensure its survival as the nation's most complete cold war relic.

The aim is to offer young people and future generations a snapshot into the tensions and architecture of the time and provide the city with one if its most unusual visitor attractions.

Work is well underway on the semi-submerged structure and will take four months to complete.

English Heritage, which owns the site, in the grounds of the former Shelley House, on Acomb Road, has joined forces with the Cold War Conservation Trust and the Civil Defence Preservation Trust to form a steering group to guide the restoration work.

Inside the bunker Built as a reporting hub to gather details on nuclear explosions. Operated by the Royal Observer Corps. Abandoned in 1991 with the fall of the Iron Curtain.

David Fraser, English Heritage, Director for Yorkshire, said: "The nuclear bunker stands as a reminder that history is being made all the time.

"It's a very complex restoration project because there's no template for this kind of work. We're working through problems and hope to get the bunker near to its operational status."

Repairs will include electrical rewiring, providing limited disabled access and getting a "radiation proof" sewage system back to working order.

An opening ceremony is planned for spring 2004.