Ref. 72702-5THE COUNCIL has refused to throw a lifeline to a children's football club facing bankruptcy.

Highworth Junior Football Club says its future is at risk because of a £35,000 bill for an archaeological dig.

The club which has 200 young players incurred the costs when Roman remains were discovered during the construction of its new pavilion last summer.

Manager Bernard Berry says that Swindon Council planners did not inform him that the site was archeologically sensitive when initial plans were submitted.

The pavilion was built on council-owned land at Highworth Rec.

Earlier this week, he called an urgent meeting between the club, Highworth town council and the borough. He pleaded with borough environmental officer Liz Smith and county archaeologist Roy Canham to take some responsibility for the fiasco.

But he told the Adver: "All they did was deflect the blame onto someone else.

"I wanted to know why no-one told us about the archaeological risk. They just tried to blame our builders and architects. They didn't like it when I challenged them, and it got heated.

"I believe the council should pay the bill because the dig took place on their land, and the finds will eventually belong to the council.

"I'm bitterly disappointed because we have no way of raising that kind of money. If no-one else can help, we could go bankrupt."

Mr Canham, who advises borough planners on archaeological matters, said that he sympathised with the club's plight.

But he added: "There was a planning condition which said there had to be an archaeologist on site in case any finds were unearthed.

"If Mr Berry had any queries about that, he could have picked up the phone and asked me, but I didn't hear anything from him."

Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said: "All proposed development sites are checked against council records to see if there could be any archaeological implications.

"If there are, then developers are advised and subsequent planning approvals will have a condition that requires the developer to investigate the site and to deal appropriately with any archaeological finds, as part of the development.

"This is absolutely in accordance with both council and Government policy.

"It is for individual developers, whoever they are, to seek suitable professional guidance about the cost implications of such work and to factor this into their budget."

Last year's excavations unearthed Roman coins, pottery and part of a courtyard.

Anyone who can help the club pay the bill should call Mr Berry on 01793 763047.

Tamash Lal