AS a reporter I am used to digging for information but it was quite a shock to the system when I dug in - in the literal sense - to help archaeologists uncover the past of Stourport's Canal Basins.

building that dates back to the 1770s.

The week-long excavation project at the landmark launched a £3.2 million regeneration scheme expected to double the number of tourists and boost the town's economy.

A team of three Worcestershire County council archaeologists were joined by keen volunteers, including myself, who got their hands dirty for the cause.

After being versed about the health and safety precautions of a site dig, helpers were not simply given a spade and told to get to work.

The experts explained the processes involved in a project of that size, which includes hours of planning in offices, before giving volunteers lessons in how to record what artefacts they unearthed.

After that, the hard work began and it was time to get down to the real graft of digging - a task made all the more difficult when temperatures barely crept above freezing.

The mind felt wearier than the body after being taught how to meticulously mark down to the centimetre the exact lengths and depths of your previous labours on a site map.

Will Hollins, who travelled from Worcester to take part in the project, helped the archaeologists for five days.

The 41-year-old added: "It is something I have always been interested in and this excavation came at the perfect time.

"The archaeologists have been fantastic and they are so patient. The one thing that has amazed me is the amount of paperwork involved."

Twenty people volunteered their services over the week and the hard work proved to be worthwhile after the excavation unearthed a vaulted cellar believed to link the old Tontine Hotel to a canalside tollhouse.

A second trench uncovered an original garden wall that was believed to date back to the 18th century when the hotel, which was used by merchants and workers who worked on the canals, was built.

Justin Hughes, the archaeologist who led the project, said all the team's findings would go into a report, which will be published in the new year, and it is hoped it will help link the past with the future when the three-year regeneration process is completed.

He added: "It was obvious that this site means a lot to the people of Stourport because of the amount of interest shown. All through the week, the team was fielding questions from passers-by and they all had stories about Basins and the Tontine.

An open weekend, which was attended by more than 150 people from as far away as the Black Country, was held to round off the project.

Elizabeth Turner, British Waterways' heritage adviser, said the excavation proved to be a great success and was grateful to all the volunteers who gave up their time to help.

She explained: "We are really pleased with the results of the excavation. We had some artists on site during the dig and the finds will help inform the future landscaping work.

"We are planning to hold more open days next year when people will have the chance to bring in old photographs and share memories of the Basins area."

Building work is due to start on the regeneration project, which was boosted by a £1.7million lottery grant, early next year. All items collected from the dig will be displayed at the Worcestershire County Records Museum in Hartlebury.