Chance to tour the Flintshire tunnels which housed a secret chemical weapons factory

The first of a series of open weekends have been held in Flintshire, giving visitors a taste of life in a chemical weapons factory during World War II.

Yesterday, Saturday, during the first of five open days to be held this year, visitors were led along a newly laid pathway down the tunnels following a formal opening ceremony by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates.

The Valley Works, which now sit in the heart of a nature reserve at Rhydymwyn near Mold, were converted into a mustard gas factory in 1939 by ICI on the orders of Winston Churchill on the outbreak of World War II.

Members of Rhydymwyn Valley History Society later unearthed proof that the miles of tunnels under the nature reserve would have had a key strategic role in the Cold War after a Freedom of Information request was sent to the Treasury.

Historians believe workers made 40,000 mustard gas shells a week at the secret plant during World War II, and research was carried out which helped develop the first atomic bomb.

Following the success of the first open day of the year, another four are now to be held between now and December.

Organised by the Rhydymwyn Valley History Society, these will be the Sundays of May 21, June 18, July 16 and September 17.

They include a talk on the history and construction of the tunnels.

Tours can be booked online , at a cost of £5 per person, but places are limited.