HERITAGE enthusiasts will be digging out old artefacts on April 20 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the popular Chesire Archaeology Day.

Archaeologist Ian Miller is among the guest speakers at the event, which will be held in Winsford Lifestyle Centre, and he will be discussing the latest Roman Middlewich excavations.

Middlewich Heritage will also be at hand to offer information about upcoming events, promote their new online ‘What’s On’ guide and answer any heritage-related questions.

Kerry Fletcher, Heritage Development Officer, said: “This event is vital as it is the one time that organisations can get together and catch up on what other societies have planned for the year.

“It’s great for us as the public become aware of what we are doing throughout the year and it gives them the chance to get involved in projects.”

The annual event is organised by archaeologists at Cheshire West and Chester Council and is supported by the Chester Local History Association, the Cheshire Local History Association and Middlewich Town Council.

The first day was held in Northwich in 1992 and the event has grown in popularity over the past two decades.

Kerry added: “It goes to show how much interest there is in the county and we are very lucky that we have a strong history.

“The fact that it has been going for 20 years speaks volumes.”

New to this year is a pottery identification service and the public are encouraged to bring along pieces of pottery they may have found.

Various displays and bookstalls will be featured at the event and other talks during the day will cover the Bronze Age burials in Delamere and a Medieval murder mystery at Norton Priory.

Tickets are priced at £12 or £10 for concessions and can be obtained by phoning 01244 973997.