THE first public lecture on a remarkable archaeological discovery in North Yorkshire will be held next month.

Less than a year ago archaeologists found the buried remains of a previously unknown high status Roman villa near Aiskew on the route of the new Bedale and Leeming Bar bypass road.

Five hundred metres to the south of the villa building, the huge ditches of a late Iron Age defended enclosure were also exposed and contained two human skeletons.

And on February 9 Jenny Proctor of Pre-Construct Archaeology will share some the fascinating details of the find. She will also be bringing a selection of building material from the villa including some painted wall plaster for people to examine.

The presentation will be hosted by Northallerton History Society at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Thirsk Road, starting at 7pm.

Non-members are welcome to attend at a nominal admission charge of £2.50, while people in full-time education will be admitted free.