Nearly 1,000 people queued to explore a hidden Second World War air raid shelter beneath Chester city centre.

975 visitors passed through the shelter beneath St Michael's Arcade on Bridge Street on Sunday 8 November, in what organisers described as the most popular event in the history of 'Rowvember.'

At its peak, the queue stretched up Bridge Street as far as Chester Cross, with visitors taking the rare opportunity to explore a little-known part of the city's history.

The event was organised by Heritage Chester CIC as part of its annual Rowvember celebration of Chester's historic Rows.

The underground shelter once had capacity for 475 people and offered visitors a glimpse into how Chester prepared for the Second World War.

Visitors walked through its passageways and learned how the city experienced 232 air raid alerts and ten bombing raids during 1940 and 1941.

Chester City Council had established an air raid precautions committee as early as 1936.

The opening took place on Remembrance Sunday, with volunteers helping visitors throughout the afternoon.

A Home Guard officer and female Home Guard volunteer also appeared in wartime uniform, adding to the atmosphere.

Heritage Chester CIC team member and Rowvember lead, James Dixon, said: "We know people are curious about what lies beneath the Rows, but we never imagined a queue reaching past the Cross.

"Seeing nearly a thousand people, families, older residents with their own wartime stories, and visitors from further afield, come out for a piece of Chester's hidden history was incredible.

"Events like this simply couldn't go ahead without our amazing volunteers, and we can't thank them enough.

"We'll definitely be looking to open the shelter again."

Rowvember continues throughout November, with tours, talks, open houses and family activities celebrating Chester's historic Rows.

Upcoming events include a Crime Control and the Chester Rows tour, a Folklore and Fantastical Architecture Walk, and a talk with Sir Donald Insall exploring the past, present and future of the Rows.

A Rows Family Day will also take place on Saturday 21 November from 12pm to 4pm at Unit 18, St Michael's Arcade.

Further events towards the end of the month will explore Chester's archaeology, its 'missing' Rows and the city's Civil War history.

Full listings and booking information are available HERE.