VOLUNTEERS and university students were given the chance to find out what goes on beneath the surface of a historic landmark in Furness.

As part of a five-day event, professional archaeologists from the University of Central Lancashire Archaeology department conducted an archaeological geophysical survey of Gleaston Castle, in the village of Gleaston.

Louise Martin, cultural heritage officer for Morecambe Bay Partnership, said the project is part of an opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of the ancient site.

She said: "My project is around trying to get a better understanding and appreciation of places like this. It is designed to engage local communities and promote our heritage.

"This is a non-intrusive project. People can associate surveys with digging holes in the ground. All this is about is getting local people to understand how surveys work and getting experience themselves.

"We have fantastic archaeology and fantastic heritage, so let's appreciate it!"

The training at the event gave those attending the chance to see the science behind geophysical surveys and their links to archaeology. 

Those involved got a chance to be truly involved as they learnt and practiced survey techniques such as magnetometry and laser scanning.

One of the UCLan students taking part, Sian Murray, 19, a first-year archaeology student at the university, said: "It has been really interesting. 

"We have fieldwork as part of our course and this has become part of that. We are all in archaeology and we have all really enjoyed it." 

Dr Rick Peterson, archaeology lecturer at UCLan, said: "In terms of understanding it, the survey can give us a picture in its own sense and it can give us something for if we want to do anything more detailed in the future."