THE public are being given a rare chance an archaeological dig that is shedding new light on Roman times in North Yorkshire.

Excavations are being carried out at Catterick on sites revealed during work on the A1 Leeming to Barton improvement scheme.

And on January 24 there will be guided tours from Catterick racecourse car park to one of the sites currently being excavated.

Tours to the excavation will be every hour from 10.30 am through to 2.30pm. In a cabin at the car park there will be the opportunity to look at a small display of photographs and finds from the recent Roman excavations on the A1.

Dr Stephen Sherlock, archaeological clerk of works commented: “We held a very well attended series of tours at the end of May 2014 but it has become clear there are still a number of people interested in seeing for themselves what has been uncovered during the archaeological works.

“We have arranged these tours as another opportunity for people who weren’t able to come last time.”