The burial site of a king or high priest who died 3,000 years ago has been found in an over-grown field. Amateur archaeologist Tony Rhodes stumbled across part of a Bronze Age sword ... while using his metal detector. Now a survey has uncovered what is believed to be the last resting place of its owner – a nobleman who died in 900BC. Tony is calling for a full-scale excavation of the site, whose location in the Hanford and Trentham area is being kept secret.

Sentinel, 7.7.96

Archaeologists at a development site in Newcastle Borough have unearthed what is thought to be a major Roman public building. The find has been made at the Limedale Employment Park, off Holditch Rd, Chesterton.

County archaeologist Chris Welch said: 'The remains of other Roman buildings have been found in the area in the past but they were of wooden construction. The building that has now been uncovered is clearly of stone construction and this indicates it could have been a major public building.'

Among the artifacts uncovered are a piece of a Roman column and fragments of pottery which suggest the building could date from the second century. Mr Welch said, 'This find was  unexpected in this part of the county – it is something you might have expected in an area like Lichfield, where we know the Romans had a major presence, but it is not something you would expect to find in Newcastle. The significance of this find lies in the fact if is evidence of a major town rather than a village because it is such a big building.'

Sentinel, 28.8.1998