Few people are able to take a closer look at the historic bell – but members of the Leeds Historical Expedition Society (LHES) were given the rare chance to go behind the scenes to mark the Town Hall's 150th birthday.

Factories and mills shut for the day in 1858 as thousands of people watched Queen Victoria officially open the venue, which has welcomed a string of luminaries and top-class visitors ever since.

But as well as the concerts, banquets and balls, the venue also has a darker side – it was once home to the city's police, crown court and the old Bridewell, which closed in 1993.

The 19th century prison cells, said to be haunted by the ghost of Victorian murderer Charlie Peace, were one of the first stops for the LHES, which explores and photographs old Yorkshire landmarks.

"These cells are directly below the front steps," said founder Phill Davison, who led the exploration.

"The great and good dignitaries of Leeds ascending the steps would be walking above the shamed criminal element below.

"The conditions were so bad they were considered inhumane for prisoners as long ago as 1902.

"It was a bleak outlook for criminals of yesteryear. There are three holding cells where thieves and murderers awaited their movement to Armley Jail and often the gallows."

The explorers also paid a visit to the venue's famous organ, which was built in 1856 at a cost of £5,000.

With five hydraulic engines, the organ was one of the largest in Europe, weighing a massive 70 tonnes.

"We were standing inside one of the largest musical instruments in the world," Phill said.

"Behind the organ we found this impressive collection of wind pipes. There are three whole floors containing these pipes.

"There were 6,500 in total. Some were as wide as a dustbin and others were as fine as a feather."

Next, the group took their cameras up the tower to inspect the bell and the clock, which were actually installed in 1859 – one year after the landmark was officially opened.

The decision to include the tower was only made during the construction of the building, which caused a headache for the architect, Cuthbert Brodrick, who had to change his plans and set new foundations.

The explorers were also given the rare chance to venture up to the crow's nest at the very top of the Town Hall, as well as walk across the dome of the Victoria Hall, which houses the famous organ.

"The bell weighs four tonnes and has one of the least known a
nd seen portraits in Leeds," Phill said.

"Queen Victoria's face adorns the side of the bell. It's now rusted away and hardly recognisable and her hair has turned green.

"A few minutes before the bell chimes the cogs kick in to life and start to buzz, clank and spin.

"Standing up here when the bell tolls is not for the faint-hearted."