Roman villa dig in Folkestone wins national award

The excavations took place at the site of the Roman villa in 2010 and 2011

An archaeological dig to uncover a Roman villa in Kent has received national recognition.

The project, which involved hundreds of volunteers at East Cliff in Folkestone, was named Rescue Dig of the Year by Current Archaeology magazine.

Folkestone was selected from a list of six archaeological sites across Britain - all at risk of destruction.

The site of the Roman villa is at threat of being lost to the sea because of coastal erosion.

As well as the villa, the dig uncovered 49 Iron Age coins and evidence of a trading community, including fragments of four foot jars used to import wine.

The excavations took place over the summer and autumn months of 2010 and 2011.