HUDDERSFIELD town centre has hidden depths.

Now bosses at the town’s Kingsgate shopping centre hope local people can help explain the history of a sub-basement discovered below business premises in Cross Church Street.

The underground rooms were discovered when workmen investigated a manhole cover in the cellar of Herbert’s Bar during preparatory work for the proposed £40m extension to the neighbouring retail centre.

They found a mysterious set of rooms which appear to extend under neighbouring buildings, too.

Peter Everest, managing director of WD Huddersfield, said: “Although we had plans which indicated there might be some sort of space underneath the cellar we weren’t expecting to find a series of rooms like these which look to extend under Café 36 in one direction and possibly under Revolution too.

“We have no idea what they might have been used for in the past, if they have historical significance or even if they might belong to an earlier building on the site.”

Mr Everest added: “Some local people have mentioned the possibility they might have been used as a jail or connected in some way to the old Court House on Queen Street.

“That would make sense bearing in mind the way they are laid out – but at the moment it is a puzzle.

“If anyone knows more about what they were used for and why they were closed off for so long we would be fascinated to hear about it as it really makes me wonder what else we might find as we continue with our preparatory work.

“It would be great if the expansion of Kingsgate could lead to us finding out more about Huddersfield’s past.”

Anyone who can shed light on the mystery should phone features on 01484 437761.