ARCHAEOLOGIST and television presenter Julian Richards helped Westbury locals to tidy and restore the town’s Quakers burial ground.

Mr Richards, who has more than 30 years of field work under his belt, was joined by Westbury Leos, Westbury Lions and Westbury Heritage Society members to continue their restoration work.

In the several digs that have taken place at the graveyard, off Church Street, since February, they have discovered the graves of John Matravers and his wife Susanna, dating back to the 1700’s, another old grave, pottery and an old wall too.

And on Friday, the team found that John Matravers’ grave was also partly made of marble.

“We are unearthing history. We honestly do not know what we are going to find and that is why it is so exciting," said Mr Richards

“We are not going to disturb the graves, we want to preserve them and then restore the graveyard. This is a great team effort and it is great to be part of.”

In between each dig, the volunteers cover up the graveyard areas that have been dug up with blankets and bricks to preserve these exciting discoveries.

Sally Hendry, chairman of the heritage society, said: “When we first discovered John Matravers was here, I had prickles up my spine.

“This was the ancestor of John Matravers, who left £1,000 in his will to set up the original school many years after he died in the 1700’s.

“There could be as much as 17 graves here. People are aware of the graveyard but not the full extent of it.

“It seems to me that more people are getting into the history and heritage of the town, which is great.”

Matravers School pupils have also been involved in helping out, as has 17-year-old Maddy Strout of the Westbury Leos.

“When we started there was a big pile of soil. We dug it up to find the grave stones which was great,” she said.

“We are collecting pottery too. It is all very impressive. It is good fun to be part of the team as it is very interesting.”

Now that it has been covered up again, the next dig should take place within the next six weeks or so.

John Pearce, of the Westbury Lions, added: “The Westbury Shed team are going to build a new wall as their Autumn project which is superb. They wanted to get involved so this is great of them.”