ARCHAEOLOGISTS will manage a major community dig near Millom after a local history society was awarded a grant of just under £30,000. 

Millom and District Local History Society received the grant, from Cumberland Council as part of the Government's Levelling Up Scheme, to employ Greenlane Archaeology of Ulverston. 

Over twenty volunteers will be trained and take part in digging exploratory trenches near the castle and in a field where cropmarks suggest there might be a Roman or Iron Age settlement of some kind, according to the society. 

Last year metal detectorist Josh Carr found a hoard of six Bronze Age metal axe heads. 

“We have no idea what we will find because it is clear this area has been inhabited for thousands of years,” said the chair Jan Bridget.

“But we are delighted to be awarded the funding and are hopeful of finding something and I would love to find evidence from the Roman period.”

Training will start in May with the digs taking place during June, which the society hopes will involve students from Millom School. 

The results will be shared with the public at an event at the end of August.