A homeowner who was stunned to find secret wartime tunnels run beneath his home has written to Tony Blair in an effort to have them filled in.

The underground centre, known as the Secret Tunnels of South Heighton, was rediscovered following detective work by the Newhaven Historical Society.

Its members, led by retired British Telecom engineer Geoff Ellis, now want to reopen the 550 yard tunnels - called HMS Forward - to the public.

But they have faced problems because the tunnels run beneath 24 homes, including that of entertainer Paul-John Harris.

Mr Harris is firmly objecting to the society's plans to open the tunnels to the public and wants the Ministry of Defence to seal them.

Mr Harris, 56, has said he only discovered the tunnels existed under his home in an article in the South Coast Leader in 2002.

Following a report in The Argus, Mr Ellis showed Mr Harris the tunnels in an effort to convince him of their importance.

But Mr Harris remained unimpressed and is standing firm. He said: "Having been down there, I can't see what all the fuss is about.

"Apart from some graffiti, there is nothing to see. It's just dark and narrow. After my visit down there, I'm still of the opinion that the Ministry of Defence should fill them in.

"That's why I have written to Tony Blair to try to get him to convince the Ministry of Defence that the tunnels should be sealed.

"I don't want people walking beneath my property. What would happen if something went terribly wrong down there? Who would be liable?

"These are questions that they haven't thought of."

However, Mr Ellis - who watched the tunnels being excavated as a young boy - has been told by English Heritage that the tunnels are of national importance.

Little was known about their extraordinary background.

Even as late as the mid-Nineties, the Government and the Imperial War Museum denied their existence.

Appeals for information were made by Mr Ellis in the hope that people who toiled there from 1941 to 1945 would come forward.

Eventually Mr Ellis and others at the society pieced together the story behind the Secret Tunnels of South Heighton.

The tunnels were set up in 1941 as an underground naval intelligence centre to monitor marine movements off Sussex.

Built in two stages in just 17 weeks, the 130 miners endured tough conditions.

The 100 or so personnel who worked underground included radio operators, coders, telegraphists and messengers.

In 2000 English Heritage declared the site to be of national importance.

At a Heritage Open Day last month, 200 people went through and 300 had to be turned away such was its popularity.

People were allowed to explore some parts of the tunnels but the area running beneath Mr Harris's home was roped off.

Mr Ellis has said there is a risk of explosion from a build-up of gases if the tunnels are sealed and a danger of collapse if they are not maintained.

He said: "If he (Mr Harris) fails to give his permission he will let down his neighbours and co-tunnel owners who have given permission. There is also the possibility that we would lose out on Lottery funding if the tunnels are only opened in part."

To find out more, visit www.secret-tunnels.co.uk