A SECTION of Hadrian's Wall buried beneath the urban sprawl of Newcastle will give up its secrets for the first time later this year.

Archaeologists are to begin digging at the Westgate fire station in West Road once the fire and rescue servicehas made the move to a new station in nearby Rye Hill.

It will be the first time experts have studied the area for Roman remains.

The excavation team, from the archaeology department of Tyne and Wear Museums, will move on to the site in the West End of the city in late summer, to look for the exact route of the wall.

They will also be looking for the attached Roman road, known as Military Way, and a vallum, or ditch.

Their discoveries could have a huge bearing on what type of development will be allowed to replace the old fire station, which is owned by Newcastle City Council.

Councillor Ged Bell, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said: "This is a very important project which should clarify what the site and building is capable of in development terms.

"The dig is potentially very exciting as no previous archaeological investigations have ever been carried out on this particular site, even though we know it is definitely on the line of Hadrian's Wall."

The Military Way was recently found in good condition in an archaeological evaluation carried out at another city council-owned property, Pendower Hall, a short distance to the west.