Relics found at Flag Fen.

Bronze Age swords, daggers and spears dating back to 1000 years before Christ have been unearthed in Peterborough in one of the most important British archaeological finds of the century.

Three hundred pieces of ancient metalwork - probably thrown overboard from boats when the Fens were submerged underwater - have been discovered on the Flag Fen site in Fengate.

Many of the relics have been taken to the British Museum in London because of their importance.

And today at Flag Fen director Dr Francis Pryor said the type of relics - some completely intact - had never been found elsewhere in Britain.

He said: "We found all the metalwork on one side of the oak posts which we now believe formed the boundary to a religious settlement on the site."

Among the priceless relics uncovered were: Bronze Age swords; daggers and rapiers; three complete spearheads; and a host of knives.

Also found were the remains of a skeleton, believed to date back to the late Bronze Age.