Sixth formers from Devizes School have made a start on a community excavation of the Green and have already come up with some interesting artefacts.

The students began the dig on Tuesday afternoon on the site of the Donut Dugout, the wartime centre for servicemen which became the town’s community centre when peace was declared.

The amateur archaeologists soon unearthed the foundations that supported the Nissen huts.

David Dawson, director of Wiltshire Museum which is organising Dig Devizes, said: “It was a very promising start. We found pretty much what we expected but there were a few things we didn’t expect, such as a piece of 16th-century pottery and evidence of 17th-century buildings.”

Dig Devizes will continue from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers under the direction of archaeologists will open up a series of trenches and a tent has been erected to wash and identify any finds.

In addition, two Roman re-enactors will be there to explain what life was like in Roman Devizes and there will be a small exhibition called The Story of Devizes. Devizes Town Council has given permission for the event to take place.

Although Devizes as a town only dates back to Norman times, there is evidence of Roman occupation. When the houses in Southbroom Road were built in the 18th century, a statuette was found in a cavity lined with Roman brick.

Mr Dawson said: “We don’t know what we will find so I am really excited about this weekend’s activities.”