EXCAVATIONS at the site of the proposed new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point have uncovered the remains of a 3,000-yearold Bronze Age settlement.

Officials at Somerset County Council and site owners EDF Energy unveiled the find ahead of a crucial milestone in the project next week.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey is due to announce on Tuesday whether permission to build the new Hinkley C will be granted, but even if the go-ahead is given EDF is still awaiting a guaranteed energy price from the Government before it commits the building the plant.

County council deputy leader David Hall said: “I hope a positive announcementis made.

“This would mean another piece of the jigsaw would be in place prior to EDF’s final investment decision.

“Hinkley C is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Somerset where wemust all work together to achieve the maximum benefits for the county.”

Workmen clearing Hinkley Point ready for a potential build say the work was Somerset’s largest ever archaeological project.

As well as the Bronze Age settlement, workers found the first example of a Saxon ‘grub hut’ in the county, dating back more than 1,400 years.

A number of Roman features and artefacts were also found, including a grain drier, quern stones, a stone anchor, fishing net weights, jewellery and graves.

Council officials plan to run an archaeology ‘outreach programme’ across the county so people can examine the artefacts.

The next scheduled event is on April 27 from 11am- 1pm and again from 2pm- 3.30pm at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton