THE LARGEST archaeological dig Worcester has seen in 15 years has revealed a fascinating story of riches to rags.

The excavation of Newport Street has brought to the surface some truths about the Faithful City and the artefacts that bring the story to life were on display yesterday.

Archaeologists from Worcester-shire County Council have been working with Cotswold Archaeo-logy since July and have unearthed evidence that shows the area was a bustling home to cloth traders and merchants in the 16th and 17th Centuries but within a century became a notorious slum.

Visitors yesterday were able to see mediaeval hearths used to heat up vats of dye and a Victorian drain.

Impressive finds, from early tea sets to imported German pottery, were discovered in cesspits.

There was even an impression of a cat's paw print on a tile.

Newport Street used to be a main road leading from the mediaeval bridge to the city centre. It was an important parish in the city.

Robin Jackson, archaeological project manager for Worcester-shire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service, said: "During the 16th Century half the population in Worcester was working in the wool and cloth trade.

"It produced some of the best wool in the world. There are records of it being exported as far as Constantinople."

The area's prosperity faded during the mid-17th Century and by the Victorian times, the area had become a cramped slum.

On display at The Old Rectifying House were black and white photographs taken before the squalid houses were torn down during the 1930s.

More than 300 people visited the open day held between 12.30pm and 3pm and went on guided tours around the site.

Mark Edmunds, aged 23, of Beauchamp Road, Malvern, was encouraged to go along by friend Simon Dovey.

He said: "I used to go to things like this with school, I liked it as a kid and it's really interesting now."

Mr Dovey, aged 25, of Oakfield Road, Malvern, who said television's Time Team got him interested in history,

He said: "It's amazing all this is right in the city centre and it hasn't been disturbed or ploughed up."

The dig, being undertaken on behalf of Cabot Homes which is building new flats on the site, continues for several months and once complete the findings will be published and put on display in the City Museum.