AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig in a park marked the first stage of 125-year anniversary celebrations for Weymouth's Westham residents.

Around 20 people turned out for the dig at the Queensland Road play area to literally delve into the area's past.

It was part of Westham's 125 Celebrations' which will culminate in a fete at Conifers Primary School at the end of the month.

Chairman of Westham's Community Orientated Problem Solving (COPS) group Chris Edwards said: "We were hoping to find badges, buttons or the base of a hut from Army camps built by Australian and Anzac troops during the First World War. We've got a map of where the camps were. Some 500,000 Australian troops went through Weymouth during the First World War."

The finds will be on display on Saturday, April 26 at Westham's anniversary fete from 2pm to 4.30pm.

The next anniversary event is the judging of the Westham Princess, which is taking place this Thursday from 6pm, again at Conifers school.

Anyone with memorabilia that can be used in the display is asked to contact Mr Edwards on 07976 332418. The 125 Celebrations committee is also keen to find the person who has lived in Westham the longest.