HISTORIANS believe the discovery of subterranean passageways and rooms on the site of a former Victorian mental hospital should be thoroughly investigated.

Contractors demolishing Winterton Hospital in Sedgefield stumbled across the underground labyrinth last week. It was confirmed that the basement-level maze would have to be destroyed before development work could take place.

The Sedgefield Local History Society says contractors should investigate reports that important artefacts may still be in the rooms, which are understood to have been bricked up after the Second World War.

Society chairman Joan Smith said: "If there is anything it should be preserved from the historical aspect and for the people of the area."

John Ingham, chairman of the Sedgefield Civic Trust, said: "I think certainly things should be investigated before any demolition goes ahead."

Scottish contract firm, Central Demolition, confirmed one of its diggers had sunk through a concrete surface hiding part of the basement last week.

Site foreman, Jock Shaw, said he was aware of an underground level to the hospital but there were no blue prints of what was beneath the surface. He denied reports that important finds had been made.

The police and the Health and Safety Executive have made inquiries into the discovery