ARCHITECTS and archaeologists are putting their heads together to find a way to preserve the Spa's heritage and build for the future.

Pottery, timber, animal bones and scraps of leather have been unearthed by historians at the site of the Droitwich Spa Amateur Boxing Club, near the canal basin.

Worcestershire Historical Environment and Archaeology Service carried out a key hole dig for Evesham and Pershore Housing Association (EPHA), which has permission to build an £850,000 three-tier boxing club and a housing scheme for people with mental health problems. The archaeologists say a wealth of heritage lies beneath the land and have charted Roman, Saxon and medieval settlement. They also found evidence of an industrial wharf.

While the findings are not expected to jeopardise the new development, the county's archaeology chief, Malcolm Atkin, is working with the housing group to draw up foundation plans that protect the area.

"Nowadays excavation is a last resort," he told the Advertiser.

"We believe historians in the future will have far more advanced techniques to remove and preserve findings, so we are more than happy for this part of history to stay beneath the ground.

"The ground is water-logged and should preserve the discoveries well."

As part of Wychavon District Council's planning consent, housing chiefs had to fund the dig and tackle any problems that arise.

EPHA development director Mary Aston admitted the unexpected treasures would delay building work, scheduled for July.

"The main problem is with the substructure of the proposed building," she said.

"We are considering alternative forms of foundations to ensure both the stability of the building and the protection of any potential artefacts."

Mary added: "EPHA is always excited about such finds as these. If it wasn't for the building work, then these important artefacts may never have been discovered."