PEOPLE can delve into the past at an archaeological dig in Hartlepool at the weekend.

They are invited to attend a dig at the Headland area of the town on Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.

Archaeologists have spent the past fortnight digging a trench on the edge of the Friarage Field sports field.

The four-week project by Tees Archaeology has been looking for relics of the Anglo-Saxon monastery which was based in the area, as well as the Franciscan friary which stood nearby in medieval times.

Some discoveries have already been made in the 20 metre by ten metre trench, including a piece of early pottery and a small piece of glass which has yet to be dated.

Mark Simmons, community archaeologist, said: "The monastery was a collection of wooden buildings usually built using panels supported by wooden posts.

"We have found one of these buildings and we can see clearly where the post holes were cut into the rock.

"We have also revealed the remains of some ditches which were used to split the monastery site into separate sections for different uses."

The dig has been funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership and is being carried out following consultation with the landowners, the Henry Smith Trust, and the Boys Brigade Old Boys Rugby Club who use the sports field.