SOUTHAMPTON schoolchildren have unearthed a 1,200-year-old Saxon cloak pin after digging up their school playground.

Pupils at St Mary's Church of England Primary School dug up a host of items during half-term from the days when the city was one of the most important trading centres in Europe.

Saxon bones and pottery have been found along with pieces of china from the terraced Victorian houses which once covered the area.

But the children's favourite find was a lead toy soldier on a horse, from the early part of this century.

Charlotte Bonney, headteacher of the Golden Grove school, gave the go-ahead for the dig by the children, aged three to 11, which was supervised by staff from the Southampton City Council's archaeology unit.

Archaeologist Jessie Rus-sell said: "The kids have made some brilliant finds, including this 1,200-year-old pin."

The excavations are taking place in advance of improvements to the school's playing field, which will include tree planting, new sports facilities and a wildlife pond.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.