THE UNSEEN underbelly of London will be revealed in all its mysterious glory in Wanstead by historian Peter Lawrence.

The chairman of Redbridge Arts Council will be giving a talk entitled Beneath the City Streets at Wanstead Community Association, 21 The Green, on Friday February 20, starting from 7.30pm.

The talk on London's labyrinth of tunnels is just one of a number of money-spinning events being staged by the community association in a bid to raise funds for the building's refurbishment.

Centre manager Ann Brockway told the Guardian: "With the development project well and truly finished now, it is important to kick-start our fundraising and fill up our kitty.

"Local historian Peter Lawrence is a brilliant speaker with endless knowledge and information and I am sure it will be fascinating."

A live jazz evening follows the week after on Friday, February 27, when a group of musicians will be hitting all the right notes from 8pm.

And the fundraising continues in March with the association's quiz night on Friday, March 19, followed by a light-hearted evening of entertainment entitled Miscellany.

This will be a line-up of readings from selected poetry and prose, as well as sketches, by Mary Martin and Claudia Meldon from 7.30pm.

Mrs Brockway added: "Last but not least we have the Les Leader Big Band on Friday, March 26, at 8.15pm with an evening of swing to the music of Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Woody Herman."

There is a licensed bar in the hall for all the events which cost £5 each. For the box office ring 8989 3693.