16104/06ARCHAEOLOGIST Diana Mayer drew a blank when a test dig was carried out on the site of the proposed Marlborough theatre this week.

A JCB was used to dig a series of test holes in the southwest section of the George Lane car park where it is proposed the £5million Riverbank theatre, cinema and arts complex will be built. The discovery of any important archaeology could have resulted in the theatre plans being delayed or, if a major find was made, the possible re-siting of the building.

However on Monday the test digs revealed absolutely nothing of archaeological importance, said Ms Mayer from Foundation Archaeology in Swindon. The archaeological survey is a prerequisite for Kennet planners when the full detailed plans of the Riverbank are re-submitted.

Trustees and friends of the theatre project held their breath because a recent similar dig in the grounds of Coombe End House in London Road revealed evidence of a 12,000-year-old flint factory.

Plans for five intermediate care bungalows in front of the new Coombe End Court as the new building is to be known have had to be modified to avoid the area of the prehistoric find.

On Monday the only discovery of any size, and that was physical rather than in terms of archaeological importance, was a large sarsen stone.

Ms Mayer said it was evident from the spoil removed by the digger that the site had been artificially raised up over the years by the addition of stone and gravel.

Her examination was made difficult when at about 80 centimetres below the car park tarmac surface the excavation flooded.

The archaeologist, who was assisted by work experience student Hannah Ougan from St Joseph's School in Swindon, said: "We are fairly close to the river and we were not surprised when we hit the water table."

She was able, however, to examine the natural ground level beneath the built up accumulations before the water made her job impossible and pronounced that there was nothing of any archaeological value.

All the dig revealed was natural chalk and flint glacial deposits, the archaeologist said.

Ms Mayer said: "We were looking for prehistoric evidence, possibly flint workings, but found nothing."

She said it there had always been the chance that Roman evidence would be found because it was known from the Roman town at Mildenhall (Cunetio) and the villa remains at

Littlecote that Romans had settled in the area along the River Kennet.

The holes were refilled and after a settling period the car park's tarmac surface will be restored.

Rose Hill, director of the Kennet Valley Arts Trust that is planning and raising funds for the Riverbank, said: "All planning issues have been dealt with and the Riverbank application will be determined by Kennet in a matter of weeks,

"A major fundraising initiative involving the whole community will begin in earnest to raise capital to build the venue."

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Riverbank project is asked to visit its website www.riverbank.org.uk.

The next Riverbank fund raising event will be a lunch and talk on the gardens of Alnwick Castle by the Duchess of Northumberland on Sunday May 22 at Ogbourne St George.