A network of hidden tunnels have been discovered underneath an Oxfordshire village, confirming a decades-old local legend.
The Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society was set up amid growing speculation about the subterranean spaces.
Members of the group have been investigating whether there is any truth to the folklore.
Now, thanks to a series of archaeological breakthroughs, the group has confirmed the presence of walkways underneath the village on the edge of the Cotswolds.
Chairman of the Bloxham Underground Tunnel Society Dave Green told The Telegraph: "I’ve lived in Bloxham all my life and have always heard stories and myths about tunnels under the village.
"One resident told me about one that was supposed to run underneath the garden of a house he used to live in with his family in the seventies.
"We wanted to go and see if it was true because you get lots of stories and we wanted to check this one out."
Upon arriving at the property, the elderly resident told Mr Green that he recalled the entrance to the tunnel being hidden behind a doorway.
After they asked for permission to take a look, they found the entrance to the subterranean cavern network.
While its not yet known what they were used for, the society said they now have "quite a few lines of enquiry" on other potential spots around the village.
A second breakthrough was made when a digger made a breakthrough while a resident in the village was building a new garage.
Mr Green said: "In March we found a really big underground tunnel...That came after a builder was digging out footings for his garage and the ground caved in, and it [the tunnel] all appeared.
"The group has so far been unable to confirm when the tunnels under Bloxham date back to, but a new discovery in the recently uncovered cave has given them some clues.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Archaeologists unearth secrets of artificial island older than Stonehenge in underwater discovery
- Cavemen who died 40,000 years ago were just as smart as humans, study reveals
- Archaeologists uncover ancient two-metre marble statue of Greek goddess Athena
Mr Green told the BBC: "We found animal bones and one of the skulls we found was a red deer skull - it was a long, long time ago when red deer roamed the countryside, it was definitely pre-medieval.
"We need to get it carbon dated because that will hopefully prove the age of the tunnels, although that is very, very difficult."
Letters and symbols were found carved onto the walls, with one appearing to be a double V symbol referred to as "virgo virginum", a catholic phrase honoring the Virgin Mary, frequently found in medieval chants and Catholic liturgies dates back to the Middle Ages.
The society, made up of Mr Green, Martin Wyatt, Tom Smith, Martin Whytto, Simon Finch and Jim Smithson, say they have already identified more spots near the village to explore.
Researchers and cavers from Birmingham University were called in to carry out safety checks before the team ventured inside with headtorches.
Their first expedition in August last year uncovered a 40ft tunnel with blocked-off channels branching from it.
Mr Green said: “When we went in we noticed a difference in the air.
"There was a few of us in there so the breathing took some adjusting. But it was a fantastic feeling."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
