ARCHAEOLOGISTS believe they have found the birthplace of St Patrick.

A dig in Urswick has uncovered a Roman fort which may be the Banna Vernta Berniae, thought by scholars to be where Ireland’s patron saint was born.

Excavations are being led by Steve Dickinson, from Ulverston, who tutors archaeology at Lancaster University.

Evidence of the Romans in Furness is rare. But Mr Dickinson is convinced the finds at Urswick are Roman with their typical layout of foundations and ditches.

Mr Dickinson said: “I can’t tell you how important it is for Furness and for the local community that helped us get to the point where we’ve reached and we’ve actually found something of national significance.

“The village could be the missing Roman fort of Banna Venta Berniae which is the alleged birthplace of St Patrick who actually recorded it in his own writings. So potentially this is hot property.

Next Saturday Mr Dickinson and members of the Urswick First Light heritage group will have a stall at Urswick’s Grand Day Out gala day in Urswick and public tours of the site take place on Sunday.