TWO rare Iron Age settlements on the North-East coastline have been uncovered by gas engineers.

Workers for Transco, which is laying a 15-mile pipeline across County Durham, found the first site near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, then astounded archaeologists by finding a second only a short distance away.

Transco project manager Peter Johnson said: "Elsewhere in the country we would expect to find lots of Roman or Iron Age remains. But in this area these sites are unusual and to find two is exceptional. The archaeologists are really excited."

Work has been suspended on the £13m pipeline while the digs take place. A report on the team's initial findings is expected within days.

Bosses said work on the gas line will still be completed on schedule, by October.

The 300mm diameter line will run from Cowpen Bewley, near Billingham, Teesside, to Warden Law, near Houghton-le-Spring. Built from about 2,500 steel pipes provided by Corus in Hartlepool, it will take gas to 60,000 homes on Wearside.

Transco had to obtain special permission to start work at the Teesside end, around ponds containing great crested newts.

The endangered species is so protected that it is illegal even to handle the newts, and engineers have erected fences to keep them from straying on to the route.

Other animals the company has had to accommodate along the way have included water voles, bats and owls.

The route also crosses 27 roads, including the A19 and the A689.

Chris Gorman, Transco head of network, said: "It takes three or four years of planning. The easiest bit is dropping it in the ground."

"We have to go through various stages of getting permission and had to get our famous newt licence.

"Then all these guys have to do is dig a hole and bury it."