AN Old Town development, billed as Swindon's next premier apartment block, is three months behind schedule because of a Roman settlement.

Work on The Pinnacle, in High Street, could not start was until a complex archaeological dig was completed, but the plush apartments are now due to be finished by the New Year.

And with only five of the original 32 two-bedroom apartments left, the units have been selling like hot cakes, according to estate agent Richard James.

The apartments, starting at £160,000, went on sale back in November last year and during the first weekend eight units were snapped up.

Mr James, of the Commercial Road-based estate agents, said: "We are a little behind schedule because when work first started about 14 months ago the site was in a conservation area.

"Archaeological digs and investigations were necessary and it was consequently discovered the site was on the edge of a Roman settlement."

Wiltshire's county archaeologist Roy Camham visited the site and supervised the digging of a trench on the site.

Mr James said: "It was concluded that the site was occupied for many years, although nothing was actually found there. It set things back a bit but the apartments are beginning to take shape now.

"The apartments are a premier product in a premier location.

"The Lawns and Town Gardens are right on the doorstep and smack in the middle of a beautiful, thriving community.

"There has been a real cross section of people showing interest in the development.

"Young professionals and investors can see that a development like this will hold its value in years to come, while older couples who have sold their houses in The Lawns have purchased plots too.

"Old Town is a safe yet vibrant environment and these apartments exacerbate that."

Built on the site of a former Italian restaurant the stone-finished apartments have been designed to appeal to the older and sophisticated homeowner.

The site consists of two blocks, one of 20 apartments over five floors and another of 12 over three floors.

All are en suite with gas fired central heating and wood panel finishing.

Swindon has a number of Roman sites, many of them to the north of the town along the ancient Ermin Street.

Mr Camham said: "We always hoped that we would find a great deal on the site in Old Town, but there was nothing there for us. It appears that some kind of industrial activity badly disturbed the ground in the 19th century."