Gardens key to town's fiery past

Residents of a Nottinghamshire town are being given the chance to help discover the area's fiery past.

Mansfield Woodhouse and its church were devastated by fire in September 1304 but were quickly rebuilt - obscuring the original settlement.

A small dig last year found traces dating as far back as pre-Roman times.

But now archaeologists are appealing for more people to open up their gardens for metre-square excavations to pinpoint the early medieval town.

Fires often leave a layer of burnt debris and ash in the ground which can be found by careful examination.

Alistair Bush, Nottinghamshire County Council Community Archaeologist, said: "We want people to be a part of their local history and work with us in finding detailed information about this village.

"We have already learnt a lot about the history of the village with finds from the Neolithic, Roman and medieval period and are hoping to find some more."