THE findings of an historic dig to find a mysterious East Lancashire medieval tower has proven where it was located.

Results from an archaeological excavation during the summer months has found the exact spot were Hapton Tower had stood during the 16th century.

A dual project from the Hapton Heritage Community and Bluestone Archaeology CIC discovered dozens of pieces of pottery, bones, flooring, mortar and flint from the site.

Rob Philpott, a Bluestone Archaeology director, said he believed most of the findings were taken from when the tower was dismantled.

The tower was built by Sir John Towneley, in 1510 and seen as a headquarters for hunting which took place in the grounds of Hapton Park.

The tower stood around five and a half metres high and was made up of three cylindrical sub towers, with several buildings running off it including a great hall, nursery, chambers, a parlour, a brew house, storeroom and stable.

Dr Philpott said the dig had proven to be very successful.

He said: "The pieces we have found prove the tower existed and we have found its exact location on the hill.

"We had several bags of items to wash and categorise which was an exciting process.

"You would find the piece in the land, but then you rediscover it again after you've cleaned it as it can lead to being part of something bigger.

"The dig has been fantastic and I'm really pleased we've been able to find out where it is, we all knew it was here but we could not say for sure until we found evidence."

Throughout the summer volunteers dug four trenches in different locations to uncover ruins of the lost settlement in Hapton Park on the North-facing slopes of Hameldon Hill, formerly owned by the Towneley Family.

Cllr Joan Oakland, a member of the community, who also sits on Hapton Parish Council, said: "It's so exciting, it's been a fantastic project to be apart of.

"It's changed the way I look at the landscape, I will look over the hills and never see it the same again.

"We want to get all of Hapton behind this and we are working with the nearby primary schools to get the younger generations involved."