EXCAVATIONS at a former nightspot in Hereford have revealed hidden treasures.

A team of archaeologists working on the former site of the Crystal Rooms nightclub has uncovered evidence of substantial stone medieval buildings close to Gwynne Street.

The team from Archenfield Archaeology Ltd is working on behalf of Perfection Homes, which has gained planning permission for a development of apartments and shops on the site.

Dan Lewis, project manager for Archenfield, said: "We are excavating a deep trench to examine a feature known as the King's Ditch and have uncovered the corner of a large, well-built structure.

"This exciting find could be evidence of early medieval settlement in this area."

Others areas of the site have revealed pits containing medieval pottery, shoes, a rare survival of intact medieval ridge tiles, wells, an oven, extensive areas of cobbled yards and the remains of stables.

Interesting medieval artefacts such as a lead pilgrim's badge' - worn to show the wearer was on pilgrimage with an early Christian chi-rho' motif - have also been found.

Huw Sherlock, director of Archenfield Archaeology Ltd, said: "This project is a good example of how archaeologist and enlightened developers can work together to ensure the heritage value of a site is preserved."

He added: "This is a really important excavation in a key area for understanding the early development of Hereford city."

Prior to the nightclub, the site had been built as Franklin Barnes seed warehouse and headquarters in the 1930s and the art deco frontage of the building, with its rare Vitrolite paneled design, has been left standing to form the street frontage of the new development.