MEDIEVAL ruins have been discovered by builders restoring the Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon.

The discoveries include a hearth, kiln and stretch of road, which were investigated and dated by archaeologists earlier this summer.

Project manager Mike Sinfield said: "It's very exciting to find these remains and fortunately it hasn't held up the restoration of the barn too much."

The fireplace and kiln were discovered when builders were clearing an area near The Granary to build a car park.

Mr Sinfield said: "We had no clue that anything was here before we started digging, it's been tremendously exciting."

Once the hearth was discovered, further excavations revealed a kiln or oven just a few feet away.

Mr Sinfield said: "We couldn't understand why the hearth and kiln were so close to one another but archaeologists believe there were two different buildings here that could date back to different times."

It is thought that a brewery once existed on the Barton Grange site and the kiln was used by workers in the beer-making process.

The medieval stretch of road was discovered by the builders outside the barn while they were working on the entrance.

Mr SInfield said: "We had to change the design of the entrance to comply with health and safety regulations but it hasn't held us up too much."

Archaeologists believe the road also dates back to medieval times.

Mr Sinfield said: "It is thought the road was used a lot by cattle because the ground is so worn in places."

English Heritage was called in when the remains were discovered and have insisted that the relics be preserved and recorded.

The hearth and kiln will be covered in grass and the road will be gravelled over as it serves as a right of way that Wiltshire County Council insists is maintained.

Restoration work began on the Tithe Barn four years ago and is expected to be finished by next February.

Once the barn is finished it will be used as a visitor centre and headquarters for local groups who don't have official headquarters anywhere in the town.