SCHOOL children from Upton got their hands dirty as they joined in with an archaeological dig taking place in the riverside town.

Workers from the Environment Agency discovered skeletons and other items of historical significance when they started digging the foundations of the new Waterside flood defence wall back in November.

On Friday, children from Upton Primary were invited to the site for a Heritage Day, when they watched the archaeological team at work and even took part in a mock dig.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin also enjoyed a look around the site, while members of the public took the opportunity to observe the work from a special viewing platform set up in Lower High Street.

Aside from the skeletons, other finds of significance have included the remains of old street surfaces and roadside walls, part of the bridge that marked the site of a Civil War skirmish and a long lost marker stone with letters cut into it.

And it is hoped there are still more discoveries to be made as the work continues.

Environment Agency archaeologist Ed Wilson said: “This work has provided an exciting opportunity to understand how Upton developed through the mediaeval and later periods. By examining the finds, we may be able to tell the population of Upton something about their local ancestors and how the town grew over the centuries.”

He hopes there are still more discoveries to be made as the work continues.

“We know that there have been at least three bridges crossing the river at Upton and we hope to be able to show evidence for them in the archaeological trench, not seen by anyone for at least 160 years.”