A CHESTER couple have converted a disused nuclear bunker into a state-of-the-art recording studio in a bid to put the region on the musical map.

Musicians David and Kate O’Connor spent four years renovating the site in Borras, near Wrexham, to create a ‘London studio in the North West’.

Now the couple, of Curzon Park, have set their sights on giving Chester’s songwriters and bands a helping hand.

“We are willing to put our time into furthering other people's ideas. That's why we wanted to build a studio,” said David.

“We are never going to be millionaires from it. We don't really want anything in return.”

The studios are already proving a hit - August is almost fully booked and local bands The Fleet and The Loose Kites have recently completed recordings.

The Aerial team has even scoured Chester’s streets for talented buskers, with two teenage acts already lined up for sessions.

“It's really taking off more than we could even imagine,” said David.

The launch marks the end of a challenging time for David and Kate, who juggled the ambitious project with bringing up six children under the age of 11 – and welcomed their youngest son only seven weeks ago.

Last April saw the part-renovated studio raided by police who mistakenly believed it was hiding a cannabis factory.

The raid was followed by the death of David’s mother, Kate and David’s marriage and the loss of a friend to cancer, who left his recording equipment to David. This became Aerial’s third studio.

“Life certainly isn't boring, I will say that,” said David.

As well as three studios, Aerial is fitted with a kitchen, green room, garden, bathrooms and overnight accommodation.

It boasts the services of chief engineer Andrea Wright, formerly of Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, who has worked with Coldplay, Elbow, Gomez and Doves.

The studio has already produced remixes for Rihanna, with visits from high-profile North West musicians including Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen and Dave McCabe of The Zutons on the cards.

For more information about recording at Aerial Studios, visit www.aerialstudios.co.uk or call 01244 671800.