HEREFORDSHIRE is to feature in a national television programme's quest to discover more about Roman Britain.

Kenchester will be among nine sites in the sights of Channel 4's Time Team, which this weekend launches its Big Roman Dig, hailed as "the most ambitious exploration of Roman Britain ever".

From Sunday until July 16, the TV archaeological investigation hopes to tell the story of Great Britain's role as an outpost of the Roman Empire.

Kenchester has been well known as a Roman site for many years, but Time Team crews are due to descend on a spot one kilometre south of the village, near a bend with the River Wye.

Historians believe the site is also Roman and had close links with Kenchester, the two together forming what is known as a bi-polar settlement.

The hope is that, over the course of the next few weeks, a river port, transhipment facility and industrial work will be uncovered near the banks of the Wye to prove the theories.

TV cameras will be at other sites across Britain and the programme makers are encouraging people to get involved by carrying out their own investigations and research or joining in with hundreds of activities and roadshows nationwide.

At Kenchester, there has also been the opportunity for locals to take part in the excavation itself.

For more details and how to take part,visit www.channel4.com/history/microsites/B/bigromandig/index.jsp