THE founding director of an internationally-renowned archaeology trust has announced plans to retire after 30 years.

Dr Peter Addyman, of the York Archaeological Trust, has overseen more than 1,000 excavations in and around the city and assembled one of the finest collections of urban artefacts ever recorded.

In his time with the trust, Dr Addyman, who leaves in September, has led archaeological activities such as the famous Coppergate project.

He was also at the forefront of the establishment of both the Jorvik Centre and the Archaeological Research Centre, in St Saviourgate.

He said: "Thirty years in the perfect job has been an immense pleasure and privilege, but it is quite enough, both for the trust and for me.

"With the new Jorvik a success and the research programme in good heart, the trust is on a plateau of achievement with some interesting mountains ahead to climb. It's about time someone else had the fun of leading the assaults."

Dr Addyman was awarded the CBE for services to archaeology in 2000. He graduated from Cambridge and, after lecturing at the universities of Belfast and Southampton, came to York in 1972.