THE Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who live in Bere Alston to get involved in an exciting community archaeology project this July.

Under the watchful eye of archaeologists and experts, the team wants volunteers to dig shallow, one metre square pits in their gardens over the weekend of July 21 and 22, to coincide with the Festival of British Archaeology.

The project will help the team learn more about the historic development of the village, and its place within the evolution of the distinctive landscape of the Tamar Valley, promoting its importance, special qualities and local cherished values.

Sam Barnes, project officer for the Tamar Valley AONB team, explained why this work is so important.

She said: 'Knowing what makes this area special will help to inform management decisions to protect our assets, and sustainably encourage the landscape and settlement to develop into the future.

'We would like as many members of the local community to take part and get inspired — and there will be the opportunity for people from across the Tamar Valley to get involved over the weekend.'

Chris Smart, archaeologist at the University of Exeter, will be running the event, supported by the AONB team. Chris has been researching the silver mining history of the peninsula for many years and will be giving an introductory talk about some of his work.

He will also prepare the volunteers for the event and supervise them on the day, along with two other archaeologists. Anything that is found can be brought to the village hall for identification, where there will also be exhibitions from local organisations and societies.

There will also be the opportunity to get hands-on for those who don't want to dig.

For more information or if you live in Bere Alston and would like to dig a pit, please contact Samantha Barnes, Project Officer at the Tamar Valley AONB by email on [email protected]">[email protected] or by phone on 01822 835036.