Artefacts found during a dig in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral are undergoing analysis by experts, with archaeologists describing the discoveries as "exciting".

Floor tiles - believed to be medieval - and stained glass fragments were unearthed as history hunters explored part of the city centre site.

These are now being looked at following the finish of the three-week dig, which will have been witnessed by passers-by walking through the grounds.

Archaeologists were exploring the area in front of the Fratry, where Carlisle Cathedral is planning a new building to develop its educational set-up.

The dig was carried out by Oxford Archaeology North to evaluate the ground ahead of the development.

Dr Adam Tinsley, from the organisation, told the News & Star: "That gives the architects a better idea of what structures and deposits they are going to come across and whether they are significant or not.

"The field work is over. Now it's the analysis of the material finds - the floor tiles and also a substantial quantity of stained glass fragments.

"They do appear to relate to the former buildings of the Fratry.

"Initial estimates date them to possibly as early as the 14th century."

The work involved digging trenches in front of the Fratry.

Dr Tinsley said it was "never run-of-the-mill to find potential medieval stained glass fragments".

"In archaeological terms it's very exciting," he added.

Dr Tinsley said he believed the Fratry suffered a fire at some point in the fast that not only devestated the building but also destroyed any documentation.

The finds give some indication of what the building might have looked like.

The site underwent a lot of redevelopment in the 17th century and then later during the Victorian era.

"We are trying to establish what was below ground so they can design around it so that it impacts as little as possible on significant archaeology," added Dr Tinsley.