Archaeologists have uncovered a rare find in a dig in Beddington.

The Carshalton and District History and Archaelogy Society is digging up an area of Beddington Park where buildings stood, dating back to the 13th century.

During the course of the excavation last week tiles with a unique design believed to date back to the 16th or 17th centuries were found.

John Phillips, field officer for the archaeological society, said: "They are very interesting pieces, especially as why they are on this site is currently a mystery."

The purpose of the dig is to gain further knowledge of the history of The Portioner's House - and its place in the history of Carew Manor and Beddington Park.

The house is understood to have dated back to 1246, and taken its name from the Portioner, a member of The Church who was entitled to a portion of proceeds from the land within Beddington Parish.

The property had many owners over the centuries - including being in the posession of the Carew family of Carew Manor - and was adapted many times, including into a rectory, but was eventually destroyed in 1843.

The excavation, where several trenches have been dug on the park land, has found red brick walls dating back from the 18th century, but other walls have been found inside the house that could date back much earlier.

Mr Phillips said: "There is a possibility that they could be medieval as it is known that a large, older house existed on the site before the eighteenth-century rectory."

He said: "The tiles we have found are very interesting as so far we have found no record of any with a design like them."

He said the tiles would have been much more in keeping with being used in a grander setting like Carew Manor.

Any significant finds will go on display at Honeywood Museum. The society, which has permisison for the excavation from Sutton Council, usually carry out one major excavation in Sutton each summer.