HOpes are high that a six-year archaeology study at an Oxfordshire castle will produce major historical finds, writes Ian Townsend.

The Leicester University study will look at the links between Wallingford Castle and the Saxon and medieval town.

The dig is part of the development of the Wallingford Castle Meadows into public open space. It will involve Wallingford Museum and the town's archaeological and historical society, the Northmoor Trust, the town council, Oxfordshire county archaeologist, English Heritage and South Oxfordshire District Council.

Work on the meadows has already started, the district council's community services committee was told.

Many dead, unsafe and diseased trees have been felled, surgery has been done on others, the thistles and nettles are being dealt with and the land made ready for people to use.