Families say living in a former World War Two site makes their homes feel “even more special”.

Banbury Park in Billet Road, Walthamstow, is built on the site of 16 air raid shelters used during The Blitz.

Imran Khan recently moved into a flat with her children Iqra, six, and Mohammed Isa, 18 months.

The 29-year-old single mother said she feels lucky to be living in a historic site.

She said: “It is great and the kids have a lot of space.

“Knowing that it is a World War Two site makes it feel even more special and there is quite a lot of history to it.

“It is a very multi-cultural atmosphere, young and old are here, and all our kids play together. We feel so lucky to be here.”

The air raid shelters were removed during the early demolition stages of the project.

Alysha Lansfield, who works as a clinical administrator, moved into the complex with her two sons, Marley, eight, and Albe, seven.

The 32-year-old single mother said her boys can use the history of their home in their school projects.

She said: “The children are fascinated by history and the war.

“It is nice for them to live here and it makes it a whole lot more interesting to know the history.

“They can use it in their studies.

“We love it here and they love having their friends around.

“It is amazing and the neighbours we have met so far have been really friendly.”

Maureen Shanks, who grew up in Erskine Road in Walthamstow, remembers using air raid shelters as a child.

The 74-year-old, who wrote a book about life during the Second World War, said there was camaraderie among the people hiding from the bombs.

She said: “Most people had shelters in their back gardens but Lots of people went down to the underground stations.

“They would take their beds and food down and may had to stay the whole night before it was clear.

“There was entertainment down there. There were people with accordions and there was camaraderie.

“In those days everyone was in the same boat and they helped each other out.”

The £70m housing project at Banbury Park is expected to be completed in 2017.

The complex with 350 homes will have retail space, offices and a public square.