Archaeologists on standby during sewer work in Cumbria

Engineers have put a team of archaeologists on standby during work for a new sewer pipe in Cumbria.

The scheme is part of a £3.2m United Utilities' project to replace the current treatment works in Abbeytown, near Silloth.

A pipeline is being laid close to the site of a former Cistercian abbey, Holm Cultram, a scheduled ancient monument.

Archaeologists will be on hand when the work begins later in case there are buried remains along the route.

Twelfth century Holm Cultram Abbey was dissolved in 1538 and all that remains of it is the parish church of St Mary's.

Project manager Simon Povey said: "Archaeologists have helped us design a route which we think will keep us well clear of any buried remains, but we know from experience that you just can't take chances.

"Two years ago while building a sewer pipe near Penrith we stumbled upon a nationally-significant Roman settlement no-one expected to be there."

The work is expected to be completed in July 2012 when the old works, built in 1938, will be demolished.