LOCAL people are invited to attend an archealogical dig in the Forest this weekend which could uncover evidence of a World War Two prisoner of war camp.

The Foresters’ Forest Landscape Partnership’s Buried Heritage project, which is led by the Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service (WAAS), is hosting an open day on Saturday (October 16) at a newly excavated site near Worcester Walk in Mile End.

The team are surveying and excavating the site to investigate the "widespread" remains of a World War Two camp, about which little is known.

The group is aware of hut bases and paths at the site, as well as the base of a possible watchtower and "perhaps" the remains of an open-air cinema.

Investigations at the site began on Saturday (October 8) and will continue this weekend.

A spokesperson for the team said of the dig: "It’ll be a bit of a change from previous sites but will provide new skills and should stimulate some interesting research as well as uncovering and recording this historic wartime site. We may even recover a few dateable wartime artefacts.

"We believe the camp was used for Italian prisoners of war although some of the structures probably housed guards rather than prisoners.  

"Surprisingly no overall plan or map survives to help understand and preserve the remains so putting that plan together will be one of our main objectives.

"We’re hoping that some people from the local area may even be able to provide memories via older residents and relatives who may well remember the camp or even be descended from those garrisoned/imprisoned there."

Tours of the site will take place at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm on the day, with all welcome to attend.

For more information about the Open Day, go to www.forestersforest.uk/event/152/public-open-day-buried-heritage-dig-worcester-walk.