MAJOR archaeological finds in Droitwich that could be of national importance have unearthed some unexpected problems for a new £1m development.

Water-logged timber, bits of leather and animal bones from the Roman and mediaeval periods have been found on the site of the town's Amateur Boxing Club, in Kidderminster Road.

The discovery could give the clearest indication yet of how people lived in the area thousands of years ago.

But it also means plans to combine the boxing club with housing for people with mental health problems will have to be temporarily put on hold.

Evesham and Pershore Housing Association has permission to turn the site into a three-tier complex, with a new boxing club on the ground floor and nine one-bedroom flats on the upper levels.

It was due to hold an emergency meeting with Wychavon District Council last night.

"As part of the acceptance of our application, we had to agree to an archaeological dig," said Association development director Mary Aston. "This has apparently uncovered some quite significant findings that mean we are facing some unexpected problems with the building work, which was due to commence soon.

"The main problem is with laying the foundation for the new building. We were going to do what is termed as pile work, which puts the main foundation underground and has the building on a kind of stilts. For obvious reasons, archaeologists are unhappy about this and so we have to work out a compromise."

Malcolm Atkin, head of Worcestershire County Council's archaeology service, said: "We're absolutely thrilled by the discovery, which is an extremely important one.

"The findings will enable us to find out a lot more about how people lived in the Roman and mediaeval eras - including what they ate, and what animals were in the area. Because the pieces are waterlogged, it means the preservation is excellent. It's vital we don't do anything to put this at risk."