WORKMEN building a new gas pipeline across Lancashire have unearthed pottery dating back to medieval times near Samlesbury.

Transco, which is building the new 30km pipeline from Samlesbury to Helmshore, unearthed what is believed to be 14th century pottery after topsoil was stripped from a field close to Potter Lane on the outskirts of Samlesbury, at the start of work.

The gas company is funding a dig by experts from the Northern Archaeological Associates, who hope to uncover evidence of the kiln and the clay extraction pits dug to provide the material for the pots.

Archeologist Peter Cardwell said: "It is common to find pottery pieces on archaeological sites but the quantity we are turning up seems to indicate that the pottery was manufactured here.

"This is a particularly exciting find as it could present us with the first structural evidence of a medieval pottery kiln in the county."

He added: "We have found lots of pieces of pottery which seem to indicate the existence of an oval shaped structure nearby which could be the remains of the kiln."

The pottery pieces, some of which are glazed and decorated, would have been manufactured and fired in the kiln before being taken by boat on the River Ribble for sale at markets locally.

Work is not expected to be held up by the dig and Transco expects the pipeline to be operational by October.

The company employs its own archaeologists to keep a close watch on pipeline work and English Heritage has also been informed of the dig.

Jon Butterworth, director of Transco North West, said: "We ensure that any discoveries on a pipeline project of this nature are properly investigated and documented and our findings are passed on to the local authority archaeologist and to English Heritage."