Town dig's tiles may be medieval

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 24, 2006

Medieval floor tiles are thought to have been discovered at the site of a former British Red Cross ambulance base in Northumberland.

A team from Durham City-based Pre-Construct Archaeology have been working at the site on St Helen's Street, Corbridge.

The area has been earmarked for up to six houses by Anvil Homes but before the planning application could be submitted, county archaeologist Sara Ruston ordered test excavation to be carried out.

In among flagstones and cobbles dating back to the 18th Century, the lead archaeologist on the site, Jenny Proctor believes they have also found a number of medieval floor tiles.

And at the weekend they discovered what is believed to be a medieval ditch and wall in a third trench.

Ms Proctor said: "This area is at the core of medieval Corbridge so what we've found is not a surprise but very interesting. We've looked back at maps and there was a building on the site in the 1840s. We've found some of its structural remains."

The team are now going to write a report to Northumberland County Council's archaeological department before any planning application is submitted.