Building works have already begun at the former RAF Uxbridge site to transform the Battle of Britain bunker and give the major World War II attraction more presence.

The bunker, a short drive from Hillingdon and Uxbridge, is the only remaining bunker of it's kind which survived after the turbulent war years.

Now, the council are eager to display the gem on a grand scale.

£6m has been injected into a renovation scheme, which will see the site get a new area for museum exhibits, a café and gift shop, a lecture theatre and facilities for schools and corporate events.

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The aim is to complete the centre by February 2018.

A spokesman Hillingdon Council told getwestlondon: "London's air defence was controlled from the bunker throughout World War II and it was visited by several notable people, including King George VI and Winston Churchill.

"A state-of-the-art visitors centre will be fitting for such a place of national and international significance, helping to enhance the experience for the more than 7,000 tourists who visit each year, as well as attracting new visitors."

The bunker still has the original map, clocks and curved glass architecture which it had during the war time.

Museum curator Daniel Stirland told getwestlondon the site will benefit from the additions as there is a lesser known story to tell about the war.

The room is set up as it was on September 15, 1940, when the Battle of Britain took place

"People often hear about the fighter pilots," he said. "But a lot less if heard about the women who worked in this pivotal room or the story of how Britain's airspace was controlled by a small team in this bunker.

"It was one of the wartime's best kept secrets."

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