CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: EXPERTS are a step nearer solving the mystery of an ancient castle hidden underneath Chippenham town centre, which has baffled experts for two centuries.

Archaeologists have completed their first search for the 900-year-old remains of a medieval fort believed to lie beneath the former Goldiggers nightclub.

The castle has lived in legend for 200 years, since Victorian archaeologists discovered a medieval mound on Timber Street, raising questions about the origin of the town.

Last week an evaluation dig by Wiltshire County Council archaeologists ahead of the proposed demolition of Goldiggers found undisturbed soil and a pot dating back to the 1600s, raising the possibility of the myth becoming a reality.

Historian Mike Stone, of the Chippenham Heritage Centre said: "It is possible there is a castle under there. It is definitely a huge question mark.

"The problem is there are usually medieval documents referring to the sites of castles and there isn't one for Chippenham but this does not necessarily mean it didn't exist.

"We will not know if a castle exists until archaeologists get the chance to have a better look."

The three-day dig through the dance floor inside Goldiggers uncovered undisturbed soil, which will help archaeologists locate the remains.

The legend of the castle comes from work by archaeologist John Briton, who in 1812 made references to a castle after locating a mound on the hill. A map drawn by Jeremy Haslam and Chippenham College students following digs in the 1970s referred to mysterious castle remains.

Following the most recent excavations archaeologists are confident the myth of the castle dating back to William the Conqueror can be finally solved.

County archaeologist Roy Canham said: "We have found undisturbed land. The chances are whatever is underneath is very good indeed.

"If the building gets permission for redevelopment we want a chance to carry out further archaeological work. We need to find out if the whole site is undisturbed and unchanged.

"There ought to be at least the remains of medieval houses facing Timber Street dating back to the 1100s. Hopefully we will pick up the foundations. It is unlikely there is anywhere else in the town with undisturbed land like here.

"We've got nothing very specific yet as we haven't had the time to have a very good look, but what was found was very positive."

Planners want permission to knock down the 1930s Gaumont Cinema and Goldiggers nightclub to build flats for the elderly.

The bid will be decided at a meeting of the North Wiltshire Development and Control Committee on Wednesday.

Paul Hargreaves, of Preservation of Goldiggers Gaumont, said: "We know the hill at Timber Street is supposed to be the oldest part of the town.

"There is some talk it's a castle. It is something to do with a timber fort that once existed underneath the old cinema.

"This would be the largest-ever archaeological digs in Wiltshire if the building goes. But it is unlikely this find will save the Goldiggers nightclub."

Previous developments in Chippenham have a rich history including a Roman farm in Pewsham, Saxon remains near Timber Street and assorted pots and coins dating to the medieval and Roman era.