A TEAM of Darwen archaeologist hope to dig up their past next month as they try to uncover an original Roman road.

The Darwen Archaeological Society, led by Denise Wilkins, will start work tomorrow near Brocklehead Farm.

And members have been boosted by the news Channel 4's Time Team will film the dig as part of National Archaeology Week, July 16-24.

The group will seal off a section of the field to dig up to two metres deep to find the forgotten route, close to Roman Road between Hoddlesden and Eccleshill.

They aim to follow up their success last year when they uncovered a small part of the road near Bent Farm.

Angela Chadwick, of the society, said: "This is a big thing for us. Time Team is coming along, so we are a bit nervous.

We will be opening up a big trench near Brocklehead Farm and a few smaller pits between Flash Corner and Harwood Fold.

"If we uncover the road, we will have to map it out and give the details to the county archaeologist. The farmers have been very generous, without their permission we couldn't do the dig."

Visitors have been invited to watch the dig and anyone who wants to take part can join the society and pay £10 for insurance.

The team, formed two years ago, meets at Lower Chapel, Chapels, were given £150 towards the dig by Channel 4.