A YOUNG boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011 was thrilled when he got the chance to spend a day helping archaeologists at Silchester Roman Town.

History-loving Laughlin Whiteley, who is known as Lockie, spent a day at The University of Reading dig in Silchester, thanks to the Make-A-Wish charity which organises wish days for children facing life-threatening conditions.

Six-year-old Lockie, right, from Burnham-on-Crouch, in Essex, decided that his dream day would be digging for archaeological finds and his wish came true when he visited the Silchester site.

The youngster was shown around the site before washing and sieving real-life archaeological finds with students of the field school.

He also created, broke and fixed a pot before finally getting muddy by digging for real finds in the trenches.

Amanda Clarke, director of the Silchester Field School, said they had been thrilled to welcome the youngster to the site.

She said: “We were delighted to be able to share an archaeological day with Lockie. He was so passionate about every aspect of archaeology, and threw himself into every activity with huge enthusiasm.

“Seeing the excitement on his face, and the biggest of smiles, was a great reward for all of us and made the day worthwhile. I would have Lockie as a member of my excavation team at any time.”

Lockie has endured major surgery, followed by both radiotherapy and chemo- therapy to treat the tumour.

His mum Andrea Poyser said: "My favourite part of Laughlin's wish has been seeing his energy, enthusiasm, excitement and focus – his core of who he is within his wish.

“This is what he wants to do, so seeing him digging and finding artefacts has been amazing. It's been the best experience."