WORKMEN on the site of the former Boar's Head pub and Chip Inn in Churchgate, Bolton, have discovered a well which could date back to the 19th Century.

As they were clearing away debris from the demolished buildings, they came across the 40ft deep well, which they believe could have been built more than 100 years ago.

This is the second discovery in two months on the site of a proposed cafe bar being developed by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries.

Mediaeval remains were found by the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit, in January, under what was assumed to be a solid floor in the derelict Chip Inn building.

Uncovered were a mediaeval cellar, blocked-in stairwell and a double mullion window facing the back of the building.

Archaeologists plan to return to the site, to study the well and other possible remains still buried under the rubble, before construction begins.

It has not yet been decided what will happen to the well but archaeologist Mr Eyre Morgan said that he hoped the remains of the cellar would be either transferred to a museum for preservation or built into the plans for the new building.

The construction workers, from the Martin Flynn Demolition Company, believed that the well had been buried by the toilets in the Boar's Head pub.

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