Local volunteers are being given the opportunity to excavate Roman trenches at Westgate Fields, every Tuesday to Saturday between 6 and 31 October.

Residents are expected to find hidden treasures in the trenches and unearth the foundations of a known bastion. Bastions are projecting towers that were used to protect the city, and four of these have survived above ground. The most recognisable one in Chichester overlooks Westgate Fields and the Avenue De Chartres.

The month long event, supervised by George Anelay, Heritage Outreach Officer at Chichester District Council, will include an Open Day for members of the public on Saturday 24 October.

Mapping around the City Walls at Westgate Fields was carried out in the week starting 21 September to identify the areas for the excavations. For safety reasons, from Monday 5 October the site will be closed to members of the public to allow the excavation to take place. However at 4.15pm each day the gates will be opened and guided tours of the site will be available.

Ruth Poyner, Visitor Services Officer at the Cathedral says: "Excavations like this are fascinating and important, so we are delighted to support this project and willingly gave permission to excavate the bastion. Our education department will be joining the project on October 15 as part of an Archaeology Day, where students from several colleges will get to see first hand how interesting and valuable an excavation can be."

Over the month, six schools will be visiting the site and learning more about the history of the walls and their influence on Chichester. Chichester District Museum's Learning and Development Officer will explain the process of excavation and how evidence underground can piece together stories of the past.

Cllr Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport at Chichester District Council, says: "Every Tuesday to Saturday, experts and volunteers will be on site assisting with digging, excavating and recording items found. This is an exciting project giving local volunteers the opportunity to help discover more about Chichester's rich heritage. Members of the public can also talk to experts and find out more about the city's past during the open day."

From 10am to 4pm on Saturday 24 October the site will be opened up to members of the public. Specialists will be on hand to identify objects and answer questions on the trench and the bastion.

East Sussex Archaeology and Museums Partnership (ESAMP) will be offering workshops in Roman Mosaics, medieval timber framing and wall painting. The ESAMP Team will be on site for three days between 22 and 24 October as well as attending one of the school visits organised by Chichester District Council Officers.

Once the excavation has been completed, the area will be returned to normal and open to the public again.

This is part of a three year project centred around the City Walls, which will include repairs to the damaged sections of the walls, improving access and community celebration events. The project is possible after the Chichester City Walls Partnership, including Chichester District Council, was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £685k in October 2008. £199,000 was also granted for the project by the District Council.

For more information on this project, please contact the City Walls Project Officer at the Council.

The Chichester City Walls Partnership consists of:

• Chichester District Council;
• Chichester City Council;
• Chichester Walls Walk Trust;
• Chichester Society;
• Chichester Residents Association Coordinating Group;
• the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral; and,
• the Bishop of Chichester.