The potential scale of an ancient Roman bathhouse in Carlisle continues to grow.

Archaeologists uncovering the site at Carlisle Cricket Club have found yet another room to explore, suggesting its scale is bigger than other bathhouses around the country.

One of the walls originally thought to be an external wall, is now believed to be an internal part of the stone structure.

Site supervisor Kevin Mounsey, of archaeology contractor Wardell Armstrong, thinks the site could be "monumental".

He helped excavate Cockermouth's Roman bathhouse and commenting on the site in Carlisle he said: "I think it has been a much bigger bathhouse than you would have normally got.

"These walls are much more substantial. Slowly we are getting to see more of the layout of it and the potential significance of it."

Experts already believed the site, which would have been a regular meeting place for the soldiers from the elite, Stanwix-based Petriana cavalry regiment, was built on a grand scale.

A month-long dig came to an end in September with a number of significant discoveries in its final days, including a possible tombstone and a large section of the bathhouse drainage system.

The team of volunteers returned on Saturday to try and tie up a few loose ends.

Technical director Frank Giecco said: "We wanted to find the southern end of the building. We found the main drain on the last day of the main excavation.

"We opened up this small excavation to see if we could find the latrine block and we think we have got the southern end of the building.

"We also wanted to have a look at the northern end. What we thought was an external wall is an internal wall.

"The building continues to grow and grow - that makes it more significant."

The dig, which goes 3m underground, has already found metre-thick walls, a sophisticated heating system, the bathhouse's drainage system, an oven and a Roman road.

But more funding, of about £10,00 to £15,000, is needed to ensure it can continue. It's hoped they can also find the caldarium, a hot room, and the cooler tepidarium.

Mr Mounsey said: "We need more money to carry on the excavation, which would be fantastic because this looks like a monumental bathhouse."

Nevertheless, there has been no lack of interest in the excavation with a number of local people who have so far volunteered for the project.

Alan James, of Carlisle, has volunteered with Wardell Armstrong on various projects over the last 12 years.

He's been involved with the dig since April.

Alan said: "It's fabulous. You never know what's going to turn up next."