CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: CLAIMS that Ministry of Defence bunkers under Corsham could be home to a secret hideout for the Prime Minister in the wake of a terrorist attack are being investigated by an MP.

This week James Gray, MP for north Wiltshire, wrote to Channel 4 to request a copy of TV programme Don't Panic, shown at Christmas, to investigate speculation surrounding the bunkers at Spring Quarry.

Corsham resident Doreen Stevenson, 61, of Hatton Way, was so concerned after watching the programme, she asked Mr Gray to investigate.

Mrs Stevenson said in the programme, produced by Ideal World Productions, MP Nick Raynsford had mentioned secret hideouts away from London where Tony Blair could seek refuge in the wake of a major incident, such as a terrorist attack. The TV producers suggested one of these potential sites was Spring Quarry.

Mrs Stevenson said: "I've always been quite worried about this because I think this is a prime area for being targeted by terrorists."

A spokesman for Ideal World Productions confirmed Mr Raynsford, minister for local and regional government, had been interviewed on the programme and was questioned about where the Government would go.

The spokesman said: "Mr Raynsford said there is somewhere in London and if not there are some places around the country but when he was asked where, he refused to comment."

She confirmed the programme skipped from Westminster to Corsham, where it speculated about whether an alleged

underground bunker in Spring Quarry could be one of the sites in question.

Mr Gray wrote to Mr Raynsford on January 11.

In his letter he said: "I am sure that you would not want to enter into too great detail for perfectly legitimate security reasons but nonetheless if it is at all possible that my constituency will become a haven for the Prime Minister in the event of some terrorist attack, it is reasonable at least that I and my constituents should be aware of that possibility."

In his reply Mr Raynsford denied all knowledge of the interview or the television programme.

He said: "I have certainly never given an interview or made any comments about the arrangements for the Prime Minister in the event of a terrorist attack.

"It would be wholly inappropriate for me to do so."

Mr Gray said he was 90 per cent certain there was nothing for Corsham residents to worry about.

He said he was 'extremely puzzled' by the situation but said he was sure it was a 'misunderstanding'.