Bitterley children show off Time Team finds

Pupils at a south Shropshire school today showcased the medieval finds they discovered during an archaeological dig with experts from Channel Four's Time Team programme.

Tony Robinson and his team visited Bitterley, near Ludlow, last week after being invited by pupils from Bitterley Primary School's archaeology club. The youngsters got to work alongside the professionals on a three-day dig.

Medieval pottery dating back to the 12th century was among the many interesting artefacts uncovered, with children working alongside celebrity archaeologists such as Mick Aston.

Headteacher Jane Bishop said it was as "big coup" for the school to welcome the Time Team archaeologists and that it had been a wonderful experience.

Mrs Bishop said: "The children have had an archaeology club for three years and they had some unanswered questions about the history of the village.

"So they decided to write a letter to Time Team and it was a great surprise when we were selected as there is so much competition - we've heard there is about a one in 30 chance of getting selected."

Mrs Bishop added: "I'm very proud of the children as they all worked very hard for three whole days, digging test pits, washing finds and attending masterclasses with the experts."

June Buckard, who is a governor and leader of the history club at Bitterley Primary School, said Time Team had agreed to visit the school after the pupils' own investigations unearthed pottery from the 12th to 14th centuries.

She said: "It turned up some very interesting results, which will come out when the programme is aired.

"The children are very proud of their involvement in the show and so they should be - it was all down to their hard work."

Farmer John Amphlett and landowner James Wheeler made large areas of their grounds available for digging.

By Danny Carden