Durham University appeal for archaeology volunteers

The archaeology project has money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Volunteers are being encouraged to help with an "ambitious" archaeology project in the north-east of England.

The excavation led by Durham University will explore religion from pre-history to the present day.

It said Belief in the North East would showcase the region's "richness of religious heritage" and would offer training up to degree standard.

The project has been awarded a £180,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is open to everyone.

The project is expected to run until summer 2021.

On-the-job training would be provided and volunteers do not need any previous archaeology experience.

Dr David Petts, an associate professor at Durham University, said: "The north-east of England has a richness of religious heritage to rival anywhere in the world.

"While many people have studied particular aspects or places, such as Lindisfarne or Durham Cathedral, no project has ever tried to capture an overview, right from pre-history to the present and that is the task we've set ourselves for Belief in the North East."

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He added: "Some of the training on offer to volunteers will be of undergraduate standard, delivered by expert colleagues who, like me, are passionate about sharing their knowledge with our local communities"

The project is expected to run from this summer for two years.

Volunteers are being asked to sign up at Belief in the North East.