"MYSTERIOUS" findings during the search for a long-lost Saline church could be the key to uncovering more about the historic village.

Volunteers spent five days excavating four 'trenches' in the Bridge Street cemetery last week.

They had hoped to unearth the lost 16th-century structure, after discovering the remains of a wall on the final day of a previous project.

Linda Moyes, from Saline Heritage Society, told the Press: "Thanks to our hard-working volunteers who came from far and close by, guided by our very patient archaeologist, John Gooder, we uncovered the foundations of the bell tower and found that the wall headed east, marking the location of the missing church.

"Our many visitors enjoyed tours of the graveyard and the dig itself."

Named the 'John Crane Dig', after the ex-community council chair whose "wish" it was to find the missing church, it also hoped to discover a medieval worship spot, which was mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century.

Linda added: "Highlights of the dig included a mysterious arch beneath the bell tower foundations, some pieces of old glass and medieval pottery, and, within a five-foot trench at the top of the graveyard, some cobblestones and a circular piece of stone.

"Is this the floor of the church from the 1300s or an unknown path?"

Mr Gooder, who supported and guided the excavation, will report his findings during a heritage talk on September 21 in Saline Church Hall.