The Coal House families said a bittersweet farewell to Stack Square as their wartime experience came to an end.

The three Welsh families left Blaenavon last Friday after spending a month living in 1944 as part of the second series of the hit BBC show.

The Griffiths’ from Gwaun cae Gurwen, with the Paisey family from Cardiff and the Tranter-Davieses from Merthyr Tydfil have shared the ups and downs of wartime life, but have now returned the 21st century.

“The Coal House has been a marvellous experience,” said Rose Griffiths. “It has been wonderful to be so close to our neighbours and that is something we don’t have in 2008, the camaraderie .

“There has been so many highs and lows throughout the experience, but the highs out weigh the lows.

“I will definitely be keeping touch with the other families, they are our proper neighbours; friends for life.”

Natalie Paisey, who is originally from Garnant, said that she would miss the closeness of the community.

“It’s the little things that are heart warming, like if you run out of sugar you can just pop next door and ask your neighbour.

“There is such a sense of community and a closeness. I will miss the people and that community spirit.”

Former coalminer Howell Griffiths said he was glad he had agreed to go on the show when his grandson Kieran asked to go with him.

He said: “It’s been a fantastic experience, it’s been lovely to go back down the mines and work with the other lads. But I can’t wait to go back home and see my other three grandchildren and go back to work.”

Their daughter-in-law Mandy Griffiths said: “I would recommend the Coal House to anyone. The emotion of living in the war, you can cry over something so silly. But it does feel real, like you’ve gone back in time to the 1940s.”

Although they have left Stack Square and the Coal House at War behind, each family has taken a piece of wartime life home with them.

“We’re taking the rabbits home with us,” said 11-year-old Kieran Griffiths, before leaving. “Mine is called JJ and my brother Callum called his DJ.

“I will miss playing with the other families and the animals, but I won’t miss the cod liver oil at school.”