A POPULAR Channel 4 archaeology show is being filmed in Oswestry this week, with residents catching a glimpse of the TV cameras.

The Great British Dig, presented by comedian Hugh Dennis, is currently focusing on an area of Morda as it looks to unearth some of the history about the The Morda Workhouse.

Archaeologists have been working alongside residents in areas of the village to find out more about the social history surrounding the workhouse – and some generous homeowners have welcomed the TV cameras and archaeologists into their back gardens to dig.

Hugh, who was overseeing work on Wednesday in St Anne’s Drive, expressed his gratitude to local residents who have helped with the process so far.

He said: “It’s great actually – I’ve not been to Oswestry before and haven’t seen the middle of the town just yet.

“It’s a really nice part of the country.

“It’s a really interesting site as well. The purpose of this is to discover the lives and history of the places that people are living in now.

“We’ve found very welcoming people willing to let us dig up their back gardens which is really supportive.”

Archaeologists, including Natasha Billson and Jim Brightman, have been digging in the area since Monday, and will continue working in the area until Saturday.

It is part of the filming for the second series of the show, which is taking place across the UK.

To round off the week of work, they will hold an event at a tent nearby with local residents to show them what has been discovered.

Audrey Neil, series producer for The Great British Dig, was also overwhelmed by the generosity and co-operation of the residents.

She said: “Oswestry came up as somewhere that we could come and find out about more modern history.

“The unique thing about the Great British Dig is that we dig in people’s back gardens, which is a place where archaeology doesn’t normally happen.

“So the only way this show can happen is with the co-operation of local residents and everywhere we go, we are enormously grateful for people who give us the opportunity to dig up their gardens.

“We’re currently digging in five gardens here and the residents have been fantastic and very welcoming.

“I think people are curious to know the history of their back garden and want to know more.”

Archaeological consultant for the show, Jim, added: “We’re looking at all different periods including Roman sites and Medieval sites, but we really wanted to focus on something like the workhouse which was here.

“The focus of this dig is the Old Morda House of Industry. We really want to focus on the social story of how the poor were treated through that period of history, as well as looking at something more recent and immediate to the local residents.

“There are some residents who have family members who can remember when it was still here, albeit derelict, so that was really our focus for being here.”

Filming will be edited throughout autumn and is set to appear on television in spring of 2022.