When you think of caves, most people think of ancient rock formations deep beneath the hillside, with stalagmites reaching up and bats nestling in every corner.

But these caves are different - because they were man-made in the 18th Century.

The limestone caves in Dudley were carved out by the mining industry, hauling away 1,000 tonnes of limestone a week which was used to remove impurities from iron ore.

In 1853 alone more than 41,000 boats carried limestone from the caves through the tunnels.

These narrowboats were quite literally man-powered - the only way to move them was for the miners to propel them along using their feet along the narrow sides of the tunnels.

Today, the caves remain and are used for many purposes, with everything from boat trips to weddings, ghost tours and concerts being held there.

This tradition dates back to Victorian times, when musical concerts were staged in the largest surviving cave, called the Singing Cavern.

Originally a mile long, only 100 metres of the cavern remain, with seven supporting limestone pillars and two loading shafts still visible as a reminder of its history.

Visitors can enjoy a 40 minute boat trip in an open boat, taking in the amazing tunnels and limestone mines with two underground audio-visual displays and a demonstration of "legging" included.