Hylton Castle - secrets from the past

An archaelological dig at Hylton Castle in Sunderland has unearthed artefacts dating back hundreds of years. The dig is being carried out before work begins to open the castle to the public.

Hylton is one of our region's lesser known castles but it's no less important historically and people are already being invited to visit and learn about its past.

The castle has stood watch over Sunderland for around 600 years. It was built by Sir William Hylton on the busy main route to the monastery and port at Monkwearmouth.

People will soon be able to visit again to admire the castle when it opens as a heritage centre in 2018.

But before building work can begin the site is being examined for anything of historic importance and below the ground archaeologists discovered a cobbled road.

Much of the excavations are being carried out by volunteers who live nearby.

They say each time you put a trowel in the ground you never know what you're going to come up with, there's always a surprise in store.

They admit it's hard work but they enjoy it because the odd bit of find and learning about the history.

After the Hyltons lost their wealth the castle had many different uses and fell into this disrepair but people in Sunderland have worked hard to bring it back into use and soon it'll open its once proud doors again.