RE-LIVE Hindhead history and in particular the construction of the mile-long A3 Tunnel at Guildford’s Electric Theatre tonight (Saturday), when an in-depth documentary will be screened.

Guildford’s award-winning film makers,Circle Eight, are staging the premiere of three of their latest films, and top of the bill will be ‘Tunnel Under Hindhead’.

Construction work on the tunnel started in 2008 and in September 2010, Circle Eight’s camera crew were given access to the tunnel by the contractors Balfour Beatty to film progress on the project - a year before it was opened by the then Minister of Transport Philip Hammond.

Using archive film and specially shot interviews, Circle Eight traces the history of the £371million project, with coverage of the clearing of the route through wooded terrain in 2008, the dramatic breakthrough when the tunnelling machines met deep underground in February 2009, the tunnel walkthrough by residents in May 2011, the official opening in July 2011 –and finally the rejuvenation of the wildlife in the Devil’s Punchbowl after the A3 went underground.

The film also takes a look back at the history of Hindhead village, and some of its most famous residents, notably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George Bernard Shaw.

In the 17th century, the route around Hindhead was a particularly hazardous one, with highwaymen lying in wait to ambush unsuspecting travellers as they made their way down the Portsmouth Road.

Such was the reputation of Hindhead Common in those days, many travellers actually wrote their wills before setting out on their journey.

Tickets for Circle Eight’s Premiere Night at the Electric Theatre cost £10.

To book a seat, call (01483) 501200 or go online at www.electric.theatre.com.

The performance starts at 7.30pm with an interval for drinks and refreshments at about 9pm.