Dad's £35,000 bunker dream

A MIDLAND man spent £35,000 to build his own World War II style bunker accessed through an old well and a 35ft tunnel - inspired by 'The Great Escape!

- SEJAL MANDAL News Reporter

Dave Billings, 43, is digging deep into his childhood dream paying homage to one history's most famous prison breaks - in his garden.

Dave decided to build his own underground bunker and tunnel like that used by Allied prisoners of war who famously fled Stalag Luft III.

The real story was later made into a film The Great Escape in 1963.

Dave's massive DIY project began 11 years ago when he constructed a small bunker on his property.

The site originally had nothing more than an old well, so he built stairs which now lead to his 140 ft (13sqm) bunker.

Last year, he embarked on the next phase of his project a larger bunker which is connected to the first bunker via a 35-foot-long tunnel.