CHILDREN in the North-East dug for history at the weekend and found a some important clues about the past.

About 16 eight to 14-year-olds from across the North-East took part in an archaeology dig in the grounds of Durham University, at the heart of the ancient city.

Thanks to their finds, particularly the discovery of a number of smoking pipes, historians can now date the streets around the South Bailey site.

The pipes were all made in Gateshead and Newcastle, some time between 1667 and the 18th Century.

Historians can now date the terraced houses at the bottom of the area as being built shortly after that time.

The enthusiastic young historians, who worked on the dig for five days, also turned up a coin thought to be from the 18th Century but possibly older, and some perfect examples of German stoneware pottery.

The youngsters, who came from as far as Hexham to the north and Stockton and Darlington to the south, were all members of the Durham branch of the Young Archaeologists Club.

It was their first experience of real excavation. They grabbed the chance to dig when many professional units are unable to work because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Paul Stokes, co-leader of the dig and a researcher at Durham University, thanked the St Cuthbert's Society for providing the safe site.

He said: "The main thing was the children really enjoyed themselves and got a lot from it. But the dig also turned up some really useful information as well."