AFTER 30 years of tireless campaigning, construction of the Wyre Piddle bypass has finally started.

Frustrated residents saw the first tangible signs that the road was on the way when highway engineers from Worcestershire County Council began erecting boundary fences on Monday.

The first stage of development is to peg out the route between the Abbey View and Upper Moor roundabouts, which will eventually remove congestion from Wyre Hill.

But although the green light has been given for the road, building will not begin until February next year, as archaeological remains identified during the planning stages have to be investigated.

The archaeological team start their excavations this month and will exhibit their Bronze and Iron Age finds at the village hall during the dig.

The finds will help chart the changing lifestyles of people who lived and died in the village during Roman times.

"The evidence of cremations gives us an important and rare opportunity to find out more about burial practices some 3,500 years ago," said Robin Jackson, Worcestershire County Council's archaeological project manager.

"We also hope to unearth the remains of a Roman farm."

The team have already found evidence of houses, boundary ditches and unearthed a skeleton of a man buried with his boots on.

They hope to prove that the farm, that was mysteriously abandoned in the Roman period, was perhaps moved to the north to make way for the cemetery.

Other groups involved in the bypass project include Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, which is carrying out a survey to determine the needs of wildlife in the area. Conservationists will be advising the county council on ideas such as tunnels under the road for badgers.

Disinfectant precautions are being taken by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food to ensure there is no fear of another foot-and-mouth outbreak.

"All of the landowners directly affected by this work have given their agreement, said Des Smith," highway engineer manager for the council.

" We're keen to get started now that MAFF guidance can be followed."