Archaeologists have started excavating hidden tunnels under the Manor House in West Bromwich to uncover the history of the planned visitor attraction.

The passages date back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries and originally formed a network to manage free-flowing water for the moat which circled the gatehouse.

The waterways are formed out of brick arches near two inches in width and, based on the style preferred for the structure, were erected at the same time as the gatehouse.

Ric Tyler is project manager for Birmingham Archaeology department at Birmingham University, which restored the moat around the Grade 1-listed building to mirror its position in the 16th century.

Mr Tyler said: “What we are doing at this dig is contributing the body of knowledge about Manor step-by-step.

“When we have looked at the tunnels, we can find out more and more about who built the house and why they did.”And with that information we can learn more about the surrounding area as well.”