THE remains of a 900-year-old abbey, destroyed on the orders of King Henry VIII have been uncovered.

Archaeologists have discovered the site of the foundations of the former Abbey of St John while digging trenches in the grounds of the former Colchester Garrison Officers’ Club.

The club was destroyed in a blaze last July and the committee which runs it commissioned Colchester Archaeological Trust to find out what lies beneath it before hoping to rebuild next year.

An open day will be held at the site on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.

See today's Gazette for more on this story.