A BURIED Roman sanctuary in Abbey Meads may have been saved from the developer's bulldozer thanks to an Evening Advertiser campaign, but archaeologists fear the site's secrets will remain locked away forever.

Discovered seven years ago, the trove of ancient ruins and treasure dates back to 100AD.

It may be one of the most sensational archaeological discoveries in the UK in the last decade, but at present Swindon Council has no plans for the site at Groundwell Ridge.

Except, that is, to build a cycle track across it and erect a few information boards.

During the weekend of June 28 and 29, Channel 4's Time Team will bring its lights, cameras and shovels to Swindon as part of a nationwide Big Dig.

At the same time, and on a patch of grass just a few metres away from the TV crews, English Heritage will perform its own studies of the secret earth.

Dr Bryn Walters, director of the Swindon-based Association for Roman Archaeology and a lecturer at Bath University, believes it is too little, too late.

He said: "Much of the site has already been destroyed by developers. The rest is nothing more than a dog's lavatory, which will be graced with a cycle track.

"Only a tiny fraction has been examined. Who knows what else we may find. There is so much here that we haven't had the opportunity to inspect.

"Judging by geophysical surveys on the land it looks like a very rich Roman site.

"It is very frustrating as all investigations have proved positive but the council just want it to go away.

"We should be celebrating the fact that we have such a remarkable Roman temple complex in Swindon."

Dr Walters would like to see an education centre built in one corner of the site, allowing children to unlock the wonders of the past for themselves.

"People want to see our culture which was evident following the Evening Advertiser petition," he said. "They don't need to go to Avebury and Stonehenge. We have wonderful stuff right here on our doorstep.

"We could enhance this site with very little cost using mounds of earth built over the existing walls to make the remains intelligible to youngsters and lay people."

Hidden just a few inches beneath the grass are the foundations of four large stone structures and an extensive network of water features, walls and paths.

Dr Walters believes the site would have been multi-functional throughout the Roman settlement.

"There's evidence that it started as a quarry, which grew into a small villa," he said.

"During the second and third centuries it would have been converted into a religious sanctuary, complete with a gift shop.

"Some 50 coins have been discovered, an awful lot for just one site, which suggests the complex was religious, rather than a working farm."

Bernard Phillips, a freelance consultant archaeologist, would like to see excavation under the house at the lower end of the field.

"That was where the haul of silver was found," he said. "Our findings suggest there is much more to uncover.

"I'd like to be able to discover the whole history of the house."

Channel 4 spokeswoman Rebecca Ladbury said: "English Heritage will be carrying out investigations on the Scheduled Ancient Monument site a few metres away from the Big Dig.

"They will be carried out at the same time and although the Big Dig team will be in contact with English Heritage, they will remain separate investigations."

Gavin Calthrop, spokesman for Swindon Council, confirmed that planning applications for a cycle track were currently being considered.

Councillor Owen Lister (Con, Abbey Meads) said he shared Dr Walters' concerns.

Coun Lister, who is also a committee member for the Groundwell Ridge Working Party, said: "I understand where Dr Walters is coming from. I think we should open up the site for the population to see it. But at the same time we need to consider the residents, who don't want the area turned into a tourist trap.

"English Heritage has the final say as they put up more money than the council."

Christine Gray, from English Heritage, said: "English Heritage and Swindon Council bought the site to preserve it for its archaeological interest.

"It has the potential to become an outdoor archaeological laboratory and will remain a public open space, of interest not only to archaeologists, but also the local community.

"The council intends to put an exhibition about the site in the new library at the North Swindon District Centre.

"It would not be appropriate to erect an educational facility on the site, as it would destroy what we are trying to preserve.

"However, interpretation panels will be put up on the site in the future."

For information on the Big Dig visit the Channel 4 website www.channel4.com/bigdig, or ask for a registration form by calling 09065 999344.

Calls cost £3. Places are limited.