LONG Preston held its first Big Dig last weekend when heritage group members and volunteers started digging archaeological pits all over the village.

They are trying to find evidence of the village’s earliest origins.

Long Preston is believed to have existed before Domesday. Lynchets, remnants of medieval farming practices, are to be seen all around as well as old farm crofts. The Domesday heart of the village is still largely intact.

The results of the dig will not be known for some months as the finds need to be analysed, but organisers say the initial results are very promising with finds going back at least to the early medieval period of the 1200s and much earlier.

Further digs will be held this weekend and next weekend and anyone wanting to take part should go along to the village hall, armed with gardening clothing and gloves. The days start at 9.30am and finish about 4pm.

Last weekend was enjoyed by all age ranges from children to people in their 80s.

There is free tea and coffee in the village hall and village charity groups will be selling simple lunches on both Saturdays.