PUPILS from a Forest school were the first to try out their tunnelling skills at a local activity centre.

Plastic pipes and chambers which are usually used to store liquids such as oil have been transformed to give children an experience similar to caving at the Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre.

The tunnels were the brainchild of centre manager and keen caver John Holden and much of the preparation work was carried out by students on an introduction to volunteering course at the Forest campus of Gloucestershire College.

There were also grants towards the £10,000 cost from the Gloucestershire and Forest of Dean councils.

They were given the once-over by pupils of Steam Mills Primary School before being officially opened by the Archdeacon of Gloucester and centre trustee, Rev Jackie Searle, last Wednesday (February 8).

The entrance to the tunnels is through an ordinary-looking garden shed and once inside, tunnellers are thrown into complete darkness except for the small light on their safety lamps.

Mr Holden said the six-metre lengths of pipe and the chambers came from Smiths Industries in Coleford and a company in Newport.

He said: “When I told them what I wanted it for – to send children down – they thought I was bonkers.

“These chambers normally hold water or oil, not 18 children at a time.”

Rev Searle said: “These tunnels have been a dream for quite some time.

“For me going down a tunnel or into a cave is a little bit of a nightmare rather than a dream, but John tells me that if you feel a bit frightened, to go down and come out the other side is a wonderful experience.

“It really tells you that you can do it – that is what Viney Hill is about.

“It’s about giving adventure, being accessible for all, building confidence and having a go. The tunnels are a big part of that.

“It is my privilege to cut the ribbon and declare the tunnels open.”