THE public had the chance to see discoveries in the latest archaeological dig in Winchester city centre.

A dig has taken place at Friarsgate Park, the new open space to the bus station on the site of the demolished Friarsgate GP surgery.

Around 100 people went along to the Family Archaeology Event on Thursday.

The city council contractors Pre-Construct Archaeology offered a hands-on learning experience as young people discovered, washed and analysed fragments of ancient pottery.

Local businesses Bella Crafts and Design Junction ran stations to engage creative sparks with activities including pottery painting and tile design, inspired by some of the artefacts that have been found on site.

The event marked the end of a six-week-long dig, with more than 120 community volunteers participating in uncovering Winchester’s hidden history. 

The recently-completed Friarsgate Park now includes seating, soft landscaping with wildflowers, and improved views of the River Itchen.

Alongside the improvement works at Kings Walk, the park is one of several temporary initiatives being introduced to improve run down parts of the city as part of Central Winchester Regeneration, while longer-term designs for the entire site are developed.

There had been calls for a full-scale archaeological dig similar to the one conducted before the building of the Brooks Centre in the late 1980s. But the city council said that would be too expensive and take too long so instead limited work has been targeted at certain places on the site, including the latest spot on the corner of Friarsgate and the entrance to the bus station.