£100k to buy Brunel plans

PLANS for the first tunnel under a navigable river from the family archive of Isambard Kingdom Brunel could sell for £100,000.

Work on the 1,300ft-long Thames Tunnel in East London began in 1825 and was completed in 1843.

It was designed by Marc Brunel, father of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was a 19-year-old assistant when work started.

It is in use as part of the London Overground line.

The Bonhams auction is on Wednesday in London.