THE construction of new flood defences in Selby town centre is in danger of destroying important Roman remains, archaeologists have warned.

The Environment Agency is planning to strengthen River Ouse defences in the town following the deluge in November, 2000, which flooded homes and businesses.

But North Yorkshire's county archaeologist, Neil Campling, warned that building work in the Ousegate Wharf area could damage significant remains from the Roman settlement in Selby and later medieval deposits.

Mr Campling said the town was potentially an "archaeological treasure trove" because of its vulnerability to flooding.

Buildings and artefacts from different periods had been waterlogged and covered in silt, which acted as a perfect preservative.

Deposits up to a depth of two metres from the Roman and later periods are thought to exist in the Ousegate area.

Mr Campling said today's modern riverbank was built on the top of medieval staithes and wooden piers, and there could even be earlier remains of Roman staithes.

He called for detailed archaeological assessment of the area before improved flood defences are built.

He said: "Houses need to be protected from flooding but it could be at a cost, and that may be the loss of part of their heritage.

"The ball is in the Environment Agency's court. One of my concerns is that the agency is under political pressure to get things done, and the archaeological issues may fall by the wayside."

He added: "Selby is a tremendously interesting town because the flooding has covered all the archaeology in a layer of silt, which has preserved it wonderfully."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "When drawing up plans for flood defences, the agency is always sensitive to issues of archaeological importance.

"Our fisheries, ecology and recreation section is in regular contact with experts in this field, and in the past the agency has funded investigations to determine the extent of archaeological remains."

Updated: 14:49 Monday, January 28, 2002