YOUNG people will have the chance to help bring Roman archaeology into the 21st century, thanks to a £27,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Signal Media Arts Centre, a charity based in St Runwald’s Street, Colchester, has teamed up with the Colchester Archaeological Trust for a project called Dig Deeper: The Archaeology of Colchester’s Roman Circus.

The scheme will see people aged between 11 and 25 learning about Roman Colchester and developing an animation, historical audio tour and site-based app which will all be installed at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre.

Sessions to kickstart the plans were held this half term and a series of free workshops will be held for work to be completed, leading up to special launch event later in the year.

Dig Deeper has been backed by the funding award from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Signals director Rachel Hipkiss is delighted to be involved with the plans.

She said: “This funding gives us the exciting opportunity to share Colchester’s extraordinary heritage with a whole new generation.

“The project will enable young people to create re sources that help explain the Roman Circus Site, and the work of archaeologists, with a variety of digital media.”

Director of the Colchester Archaeological Trust Philip Crummy said: “We very much look forward to working with Signals.

“The projects will significantly improve the visitor experience at the circus and enrich the children’s explorations of their home town’s colourful past.”

Robyn Llewellyn, the head of the Heritage Lottery in the East of England, said: “Dig Deeper offers an excellent opportunity for young people to get involved with the history under their feet, learn new skills and explore the fascinating heritage of their community.

“We are delighted we are able to support this project.”