A PUBLIC meeting will be held next week to discuss the future of a Roman site in Abbey Meads.

Wiltshire archaeologist Roy Canham will give more information about the Groundwell Ridge Roman Complex.

Swindon Council has commissioned consultants to look at how the site can be used in the future and some ideas in progress will be presented at the meeting.

Bristol-based Landscape Consultants has been asked to draw up plans to develop the 10-acre site, which is thought to be one of the best-preserved temple complexes of its type described as the Roman equivalent of Lourdes. The site was saved from development following an eight-week Evening Advertiser campaign calling for the Roman remains to be preserved for the people of the town. As a result, the then Culture Secretary Chris Smith said the 1,800-year-old site would be saved, calling the site a real jewel in the crown of Southern England.

English Heritage came up with its largest ever grant, £854,000, to add to £100,000 from Swindon Council to buy the land from the developers.

The meeting will be held next Wednesday at the Haydon Centre in Thames Avenue from 7.30pm.

Silverware found in the earth at the bottom of the sloping site is of a quality almost unknown in Britain and scientists believe that it could provide a unique chance to understand the religious history of pre-Christian Britain.

The silver includes handles for a bucket-like vessel, leaf-shaped escutcheons and part of a large fluted bowl which is now in Swindon Museum.

Admission to the meeting is free and there is no need to book.