Queues of people are expected to file into a Belfast's Crumlin Road jail on Friday, for another chance to tour the historic building.

The disused jail first opened its doors to visitors last autumn. Now, due to last year's unprecedented popularity, tours of the Victorian building will recommence this week.

Built between 1843 and 1845, the prison was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, a layout based on Pentonville Prison in London.

During its lifetime the building was the scene of 17 executions, and detained thousands of criminals, including men, women and children.

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It will now offer thousands of visitors the opportunity to learn about penal life through history.

The reception area, where the city's criminals once first arrived, has since been refurbished, but visitors will be able to view cells not dissimilar to the condition they were in when prisoners spent their convictions.

There are 640 cells in total, divided between four wings, all of which are open to view from the central inspection hall.

The jail building is connected to the Crumlin Road courthouse, by an underground tunnel, used to transfer some of the Province's most notorious detainees, in an effort to prevent escape attempts.

The courthouse, which is no longer used, was the setting for the trials of some of Northern Ireland's most atrocious crimes during the troubles.

But most recently it has played host to a number of cultural events, including dramatic productions.

A £10m tourism project for the two sites was kicked off in 2002 with the removal of heavy security fencing. The aim of the investment is to make the two buildings tourist attractions similar to San Francisco's island prison, Alcatraz.

(PR/JM)