ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed what they believe to be the foundations of Worcester's very first Guildhall, dating from the 13th Century.

Excavation works for a new lift shaft at the Guildhall have uncovered well-preserved relics of the 1722 building's predecessor dating from around 1500, with foundations for that originating in 1250.

"In terms of pure archaeology, the find is very important as potentially we're looking at an unbroken 750-year link in the city's civic life," said city council archaeologist James Dinn.

"The Guildhall has been the site of civic Government in Worcester since 1249 and would have been absolutely central to the commercial and civic life of Worcester."

Timbers supporting floors above the city council's former cash office in High Street have also been found to originate from an earlier high-status building dating from 1550.

"They could easily be from the earlier Guildhall," said Mr Dinn.

"In the lift pit, foundations of the 1725 north wing or possibly a slightly earlier building can be seen.

"These have been built over the top of a massive stone foundation, which has a good stone facing to the west with a flat one probably providing a base for a wooden pillar.

"The foundation lines up closely with the front of the main Guildhall and the probability is very strong that this is one of the walls of the mediaeval Guildhall."

He said the city had no record of either of the original buildings and the only known description of the second Guildhall had been provided in the 1790s by 90-year-old Samuel Corbyn.

"From this man's recollections, it appears that the main building was half-timbered with stone vaulted cellars, a piazza in front and the council chamber on the first floor above.

"It was longer than the present one, had a large hall which was used as a court as well as for playing tennis and staging plays, and there was also a dungeon underneath."

A lift and new staircase are being built at the Guildhall, opening up the two upper floors of the 1720 Grade I Listed building to bring it in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The £596,986 works will include a disabled toilet and ramped access to the second-floor council chamber.

The discovery means that some re-design work, involving a possible reduction in the depth of the shaft, are now underway and planners say that the scheme - which is due to be completed in May - could be delayed by a month.