The hall was used by the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Bunyan Meeting Church in Bradford had a fascinating role in WWII. Doreen Watson tells Bill Gibb the story.

- Doreen Watson

IN times keeping people entertained of conflict, is every bit as important as keeping them informed.

That was definitely the case during the long dark days of World War II.

Now, one of the most remarkable and at the time top-secret - stories of WWII has finally been commemorated with a blue plaque.

During the war, BBC orchestras decamped from London to play rousing tunes to the nation from hastily selected buildings in Bedford, doing their best to keep spirits up.

It became the largest wartime broadcasting region outside London, with about 8,000 broadcasts between 1941 and 1945.

Millions had no idea where the music came from, as broadcasts were said only to be coming from "somewhere in England".

The plaque has been affixed to the historic Bunyan Meeting Church in the town, and trustee and local town guide Doreen Watson says it was about time its wartime past was recognised.

"When I took people on tours and told the story, there had been nothing to indicate what went on here, so it's long overdue," Doreen says.