BBC TV presenter Dan Cruickshank has done his bit to help save Colchester’s Roman circus by giving talks to boost the appeal fund.

The architecture expert, who used to live at Layer Breton, returned to north Essex to attend a lunch at Dedham’s Sun Inn, as guest of honour.

He spoke to fellow diners about Colchester’s ancient past and also gave a lecture on the importance of Britain’s first Roman capital, at Colchester Town Hall.

The £12 entrance fees for the sell-out lecture in the mayor’s parlour, plus half the proceeds from the £50-a-head lunch, will go to the circus appeal fund.

The talks were expected to bring in more than £1,000, which will be added to the £143,000 already donated by the public towards getting a heritage centre for the historic circus.

Mr Cruickshank is a self-confessed “huge fan” of Colchester’s Roman, medieval and 18th-century architecture.

He said: “It is the biggest Roman building so far discovered in Britain. It is really good news for the community and another good reason for people to come and visit.”

Author Caroline Lawrence is giving a talk for families at Colchester Arts Centre on Friday, about her children’s series, the Roman Mysteries. Tickets are available by calling 01206 500900.

The circus, discovered by archaeologists in 2004, is the only known Roman chariot racing arena in Britain. The remains were reburied to stop them decaying and there is currently little to show the gigantic 15,000-seater venue ever existed.

The aim of the appeal is to raise £200,000 towards buying the old Army building where the ancient stadium’s starting gates are buried in the garden.

They would then be exposed under a protective covering for visitors. So far, a combined total of £173,000 has been raised, which includes £30,000 from Colchester Council.

There are 11 days left to find the total, before Taylor Wimpey, which owns the building, offers it for sale on the open market.

To donate money, call 07891 234274, or visit the website, www.romancircus.org