A possible Roman military barracks is being excavated at Hanley Castle.

Two-metre square plots have been dug at the Severn End site and are being investigated by a group of local enthusiasts.

The team is made up of members of the recently formed Hanleys Village Society and is being led by archaeological adviser Peter Ewence.

Mr Ewence believes that if the preliminary dig proves fruitful, the group will have unearthed a large series of buildings that were used to cope with traffic coming down the Severn in Roman times.

Metal detecting at the site has already unearthed Roman artefacts, including fragments of pottery.

The society also hopes to bring in professionals from the Worcester Archaeological Society to further the excavations.

Mr Ewence, who uses a method called dowsing to locate archaeological sites, said: "It's exciting but we're very much in the early stages at the moment and we'll not be able to confirm what we believe the site to be until the digs have finished."

The group expects to have the results of the dig before Christmas.

Nick Lechmere, who owns the land and is president of the village society, agreed that it was an exciting venture and said he was looking forward to seeing what emerged.

He said: "It's a good time to investigate as the corn has been cut and we have no agricultural work coming up in the next few months.

"If it emerges that there is a big site there and the field needs to be dug up, then so be it."