A GUIDE dressed as civil engineer Thomas Telford will talk to visitors going into the UK's longest tunnel.

This year marks the 200th anniversary since Telford took over the ambitious project which started in 1794.

The three-mile long Standedge Tunnel was scheduled to take six years to build, but in the end took 17.

Telford will be at Tunnel Cottages from noon to 4pm on Sunday April 30 to welcome people taking the glass-roofed boat trip to tell them about his experiences building this tremendous feat of engineering.

Fred Carter, one of the tunnel guides, said: "The tunnel was started at both ends and nearly didn't meet, which is why it has so many twists and turns.

"The navies working on the tunnel had to carry out their work by candlelight using chisels and dynamite, which cost some men their lives."

Guided boat trips, which last about 30 minutes run from 10.15am to 4pm and cost £4 for adults, £3 for children aged five to 15 and £3.50 for concessions.

Children under five are free.

For information phone 01484 844298 or visit the website at www.standedge.co.uk