JEWELLERY dating back to the Bronze Age has been unearthed on a building site.

Fragments of jewellery and cremated remains – which could date back to as far as 1500 BC – were dug up at a housing development in Norton Road, Stotfold.

Archaeology and historic buildings consultant Duncan Hawkins said: “The finds from the archaeological investigations at Stotfold have provided a valuable insight into past communities from the Bronze Age to the early medieval period.

“They have radically altered our understanding of the origins of the town and its development over time.”

The items, which include 17 peacock blue ring-shaped beads, have been valued at �500 and will be donated to a Bedfordshire museum once detailed analysis has been carried out.