ARCHAEOLOGISTS have made an important discovery at the former site of the Minster School in Southwell.

A team excavating the site have found a fully preserved 4ft wall in the eastern wing of a Roman villa. Investigations are continuing, but it is thought the wall dates from the Roman period.

"This is a thing of great beauty and a rare find that will provoke national archaeological interest,"said Notts County Councillor Steve Carroll, cabinet member for culture and regeneration.

Ursilla Spence, senior archaeological officer for Notts County Council, who is monitoring the archaeological work on behalf of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "Visitors are not allowed on to the site as it is not currently safe.

"However, we are all keen to see if we can make the site suitable for public access so that we can allow people the opportunity to see the remains at the appropriate time, possibly with an open day."

The Roman villa has been known about for several centuries, with discoveries of mosaics made in a number of different places around Vicar's Court.

Funding for the excavations has been provided by Kean Construction.