A SCHOOL has stepped back in time after opening their Second World War air raid shelter to the public.

Downs Junior School in Rugby Road, Brighton, is offering the chance to tour an original air raid shelter built to protect residents from aerial attack during the war.

The tour, part of the Brighton Fringe festival, promises to take visitors back to the war with an immersive experience using exhibits and interactive features that explore what it would have been like to be in the shelter during The Brighton Blitz.

Above ground is a 1940’s themed affair with live music, dancing, stalls and tea and cake above ground.

Visitors will also be offered the chance to meet Second World War veterans.

It comes after lots of hard work by the Take Shelter team to maintain the shelter during winter.

Sarah Fitz-Patrick, curator and Take Shelter volunteer, said: “This coming weekend is the final weekend of the Take Shelter tours at Downs Junior School. All are welcome to join in the fun, to meet the veterans, enjoy a fantastic community atmosphere along with some tea, cake and live entertainment.

“They last for 45 minutes, are fully interactive and stimulating; packed with emotive and thought-provoking facts.

“Don’t miss out on your chance to learn about our social and political history and Brighton’s place in WW2.”

The tour has already attracted dozens of people who went for a trip down memory lane.

Jeff Marchant, 78, who was at the school aged five from 1944 remembers using the shelter as a child.

He said: “When I heard the air raid siren sounding in the shelters it gave me goosebumps. It’s been 73 years since I last used the shelters during an air raid as a child at Ditchling Road School (as it was called then).

“The thing that struck me the most was how huge and scary it felt at the time yet how cramped and claustrophobic it felt during my visit.”

“The volunteers have done a wonderful job to provide a resource for local school children so that they can experience what it was like to be a child during the war years.”

Your last chance to catch the tour will be from 12 noon until 4pm today and Sunday.

The tour costs £4 for adults and £1 for children and can be booked on the door and entry to the playground with the stalls is free entry. All funds go towards maintaining the shelter for local schools.