AN award-winning local archaeology group has announced plans for a 'mini dig' at Carlisle Cricket Club this August following last year’s successful excavation.

Last summer, the community excavation and exhibition project, Uncovering Roman Carlisle, found over 700 individual artefacts and the largest known building on Hadrian’s Wall.

The new mini dig will take place on Saturday August 13 and Sunday August 14, with members of the public able to book and take part with the excavations for free.

Over the weekend, Carlisle Cricket Club will play host to the dig and a series of activities and tours will take place for everyone to enjoy.

The mini dig comes at the end of a very successful period for the Uncovering Roman Carlisle group, with their previous project being awarded the Community Archaeology Project of the year by the Council of British Archaeology and the Marsh Charitable Trust.

Group member, Kevin Mounsey was also nominated for community archaeologist of the year.

"The CBA’s (Council of British Archaeologists) mission is to champion archaeology and public participation in archaeology," said Neil Redfern, executive director of the CBA.

"We were very pleased to recognise the contribution of the Uncovering Roman Carlisle (URC) volunteers and team in creating and sharing opportunities to discover and take part in archaeology with this award."

Cllr Stephen Higgins, portfolio holder for culture, heritage and sport, also passed on his 'congratulations to all those involved in the community excavation'.

Alongside their new dig, the artefacts found in last year’s excavations have been put together in a free exhibition which is currently touring the district.

The exhibition is currently at the Fort Maia Visitor Centre in Bowness on Solway and will visit Brampton Moot Hall, The Lanes Shopping Centre, and Burgh-by-Sands village hall before finishing at Carlisle Cricket Club in September.

The exhibition has been put together by Uncovering Roman Carlisle alongside the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Booking is not essential to visit the exhibition or the mini dig but for those wishing to take part in the dig, booking is required as limited spaces are available.

READ MORE: A look back at the amazing ancient finds discovered in Carlisle in 2021