BUDDING archaeologists were in a village near Devizes on Sunday to help search for prehistoric artefacts after winning a national competition.

The children were chosen by the Young Archaeologists' Club to take part in Dig It! at Marden Henge which is the biggest Neolithic henge in the UK.

Three children aged from eight to 16 joined a team from the University of Reading who are trying to uncover prehistoric artefacts at the site in the Pewsey Vale.

Nicky Milsted, from the Council for British Archaeology said: “Our Dig It! with the Young Archaeologists' Club excavation competition provided an amazing and unique opportunity for interested young people to do real archaeology on real excavation sites.

"During the excavation day the young winners were able to dig, wash finds, and learn what being an archaeologist is really like. Each winner also received a bag of archaeological tools complete with their own trowel."

Marden Henge lies midway between Avebury Stone Circle and Stonehenge, an area renowned for its Neolithic history. In 2015’s dig, flint flakes, bone needles and pottery still lay where they had been left thousands of years ago on the floor surface.

Students from the University of Reading have also created an exhibition called Spoil Heap inspired by the archaeology surrounding Marden Henge. It will be on show at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, alongside an exhibition of finds from past digs until September 3.

On July 29 from 2pm to 4pm there will be a screening at the museum of a film also inspired by excavations near Marden Henge. Entrance to the film is free but donations are welcome. There will be a second screening on September 2 from noon to 2pm.