A BIG hole in the old heart of Newton Abbot opened up this week, prompting vigorous head-turning from inquisitive passers-by.

The fenced-off site at the gated entrance to the town centre near St Leonard’s Tower was peopled by busy figures in hard hats and hi-vis jackets looking into their newly-created crater.

It emerged they were archaeologists digging deep to uncover the town’s medieval past.

The same team excavated the old Seymour Horwell garage site in Wolborough Street nearly two years ago.

They’ve been drafted in again to continue their excavations before the long-derelict site is finally occupied by a flats and shops development.

The team from Exeter-based Cotswold Archaeology are hoping to establish a clearer picture of how life was led locally as far back as the 13th century.

Read next week’s Mid-Devon Advertiser to learn exactly what little treasures the ‘time team’ have unearthed in the town’s tucked-away terrain.