A WOMAN who returned home from the shops to find builders had dug up her garden has been told the massive holes will be filled in.

Heather Mitchell, 54, went shopping in Trowbridge town centre on Monday last week, returning to her home in Horse Road, Hilperton, an hour later to find diggers had moved in.

They were doing archaeological work for developers Persimmon Homes ahead of the planned Hilperton bypass and were investigating the strip of land which Mrs Mitchell and her husband, Steve, have leased and looked after for the past 12 years.

This week Mrs Mitchell was told once the work has been completed the holes will be filled in and the area reseeded. She said: "This wasn't about the road it was about being courteous enough to tell us about the work.

"They have now said they will put a fence up and a gate so we can still use the land, but they will look after it, so we will wait and see."

Persimmon Homes has planning permission to build a bypass across land known as the Hilperton Gap, which is at the back of the Mitchells' home.

Mrs Mitchell said she has it in writing that they should be given three months' notice before the land can be reclaimed and any work started. The work being carried out has been agreed with Wiltshire County Council, although work on the road itself could still be several years away.