EXPERTS are unearthing more discoveries from Roman times as plans for a major archaeological investigation are stepped up.

It emerged last week that a series of unexpected finds had been made at the Faverdale East business park in Darlington, on land earmarked for an Argos distribution centre.

The 'high status' Roman and Iron Age pottery suggested there had been a previously unknown military presence in the area.

The artefacts stunned archaeologists, who believed there were no major Roman military links to Darlington, despite the rest of the North-East having an abundance of them.

They are now laying the groundwork for a full-scale investigation aiming to shed light on the history behind the discoveries.

There is a small Roman fort at Piercebridge, on the edge of Darlington, while others are in evidence elsewhere in County Durham.

But the Darlington excavation will be one of the most exciting in the region for some time.

Robin Taylor-Wilson, of Pre-Construct Archaeology, is leading the project.

He said: "We're stripping the area now and there's a lot of archaeology on that site.

"The whole area we're stripping is going to be subject to investigation."

Mr Taylor Wilson said the work would be carried out over the next two months, prior to Argos moving on to the site to begin its initial preparations. There are certain areas that have to be handed back by a certain time, so we're going to be prioritising our work in those areas."

John Buxton, development and environment director at the borough council, said: "About a quarter of the top soil has now been excavated and the archaeologists are beginning to identify some features.

"I understand the serious work is yet to get under way and a lot more heavy excavation equipment will be coming on to the site later this week."

The Roman finds were made during a routine archaeological assessment of the Argos site. Once in place, the distribution centre will create up to 700 jobs.