Further evidence of Witney's Roman past have come to light during excavations for a new water pipeline.

Coins, brooches, metalwork and pottery have been unearthed by archaeologists on a site just north of the town.

Excavations have revealed the settlement around the Roman road of Akeman Street was far more extensive than previously thought.

The discoveries have also included corn-grinding stones, as well as evidence of quarries, ovens, stone-lined drains, and the remains of at least one timber building. The items are thought to come from an area of domestic, agricultural and industrial activity which served a nearby villa, which is yet to be located.

Traces of painted wall plaster and building tiles have also confirmed the proximity of a good quality dwelling.

The excavation, by the Cotswold Archaeological Trust, has been funded by Thames Water as part of pipelaying work for a new £13m water main.

The company initially consulted Oxfordshire County Council's archaeologists to choose the best possible route for the new pipeline to avoid major sites of historical significance.

Digging was required as the new main has to cross the route of Akeman Street which had previously yielded evidence of Roman habitation linking St Albans and Cirencester.

Thames Water's environment and quality manager, Dr Peter Spillett, said the company always carefully research any areas to be affected by work as a matter of course, to ensure minimal impact on important wildlife or historical sites.

He added: "In this case, aerial photographs and other surveys showed our work might unearth something of archaeological interest, so we arranged excavations in advance of the pipelaying.

"All items found along the route of the main have been carefully recorded and removed."

When complete, the new main will stretch for more than ten miles across north-west Oxfordshire, from Swinford water treatment works to Charlbury, running close to the villages of Eynsham, North Leigh and Finstock.

It is expected to be supplying water by next summer, benefitting about 145,000 customers.