A NATIONAL appeal has been launched to track down the brave 'Wrens'  or WAAFs who were a crucial part of the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War.

The Western Approaches bunker, hidden in the heart of Liverpool city centre, was home to WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service), known affectionately as 'Wrens', and WAAFs (members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), during the war.

And ahead of the re-opening of the bunker as a tourist attraction at the end of October, Big Heritage wants to roll out the red carpet for any WRNS or WAAFs who are still alive.

Chester-based heritage innovators Big Heritage are behind the Western Approaches project and for the past few months have been restoring the forgotten city centre visitor experience to its former glory.

Founder Dean Paton and his team of archaeologists and project managers have been painstakingly renovating control and operations rooms and discovering previously hidden areas of the 30,000 square feet bunker, which has a seven-foot roof, three feet deep walls and numerous rooms.

But the team is keen to talk to the amazing women who served in the bunker during the war years, not only to cross check the accuracy of the renovation, but to capture their wartime stories.

“We’re desperate to speak to the amazing women who served in Western Approaches during those critical war years”, said Dean Paton, Big Heritage founder.

“They were so incredibly important in the war effort – unsung heroes whose roles have been massively underestimated – and we want to recognise their critical roles in WWII.

“It goes without saying that their invites to Western Approaches will be open and free; but we would love the chance to speak to them; to understand what they know, what they saw, what they remember; and to capture their stories before, sadly, they are lost forever.

“If you, or someone you know, served in Western Approaches, then please do get in touch.”

If you know of someone who worked at the building, or if you yourself worked for the WRNS or WAAFs, call 0151 227 2008 or email info@westernapproaches.org.uk.

Western Approaches HQ, which was also known as the Citadel or the Fortress due to its reinforced concrete protection, will be opening to the public as a historical attraction on Rumford Street in Liverpool on Friday 27 October 2017.

The historical attraction will showcase an entire underground 1940s street, complete with stocked sweet shop, community classroom facility, and a range of interactive exhibits and attractions.