BUSINESSMEN Mark Jones and Carl Ince snapped up a des res with a difference -- an underground nuclear bunker.

The property specialists now own a bomb-proof piece of Atherton on upmarket Breeze Hill Road.

And they are thinking of holding an open day so people can have a look at this relic from the Cold War they bought through an internet auction after they first noticed the shelter advertised in the property section of the Journal's sister publication, the Bolton Evening News.

They put in a proxy bid for the bunker, even though they had not seen, it and were surprised to win the bidding war. Now they are waiting to move in -- even though they have no idea what they are going to do with it.

Mark told the Journal: "When we first saw it advertised, we laughed and joked about what it could be used for. But, like everybody else, we were curious.

"We made lots of inquiries and then decided to bid for it, not really knowing what to do with it. Since winning the auction, interest in the bunker has soared. People come into the shop asking if they can use it. We've had suggestions for an observatory, a dark room and someone even wanted it for a family tomb!

"We're planning to have an open day for anyone who is curious about what a real nuclear bunker looks like. And we'd be interested to hear from anybody who is interested in selling any unusual or run-down property. Just call me on 01942 886452."

The Breeze Hill bunker dates from the start of the Cold War and the increasing threat of nuclear attack in the 1950s, when the Royal Observer Corps was given the responsibility of reporting nuclear bursts and monitoring fall-out so underground monitoring posts were constructed throughout Great Britain.

Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union and its perceived nuclear threat, the bunkers were de-commissioned and many were snapped up by mobile phone operators because of their strategic positions.

The property Mark and Carl have bought is a single room concrete underground bunker with a 2ft square metal hatch. A ladder down the 15ft shaft leads to two rooms, one of which would have contained a chemical toilet. The larger room measures 15ft x 7ft 6in and was previously used as a monitoring room in the event of a nuclear strike.

There is a ventilation shaft and battery-powered lighting.