ANCIENT remains were discovered deep below Antiques Roadshow presenter Marc Allum's Chippenham back garden as the third dig for King Alfred's Court got underway.

Instead of finding the Saxons though, the presenter, along with his team of archaeologists, discovered the remains of a Roman grave complete with Roman pottery of all shapes and sizes underneath the floor of a medieval building during the two-week dig at the end of June.

"It turned into something more than we ever anticipated," Mr Allum said. "It followed on from a dig we did last year and we found Roman pottery and a Roman grave. We also found this incredible Samian Ware bowl which has images of a gladiator and a lion on it and we have about 30 to 40 per cent of that.

"The archaeologists are absolutely thrilled because it is probably one of the best things that has been found in the town and who knows, it might be the edge of a Roman cemetery."

Clive Green, who co-directed the dig with Mike Stone at the 15th century vicarage in St Mary Street, added: "We were very surprised to find something that was Roman and to find it so close beneath the floor of a medieval building. We are hoping to be able to get some funding for restoration for the best preserved pots but that will take some time because they are quite fragile and the cleaning process needs to be done over time."

The group are already looking to dig another trench this time next year.