An Iron Age "Emmerdale Farm" was discovered by archaeologists during a Coulsdon excavation last week.

Experts from English Heritage, archaeology students and Coulsdon residents joined forces for a two week dig that finished on Sunday.

And according to the man leading the excavation, the land may have once resembled the set of TV soap Emmerdale.

The team unearthed evidence which suggested the land once formed part of a small farming community.

Past digs have unearthed artifacts including pottery, tools, axes and a late Bronze Age razor.

But last week's excavation uncovered more Iron Age pottery as well as ditches and gullies which farmers used to store grain giving more weight to the theory that the land was used agriculturally.

Barry Taylor, who lead the dig, was encouraged by the progress the team of archaeologists made over the two week operation.

He said: "It is very possible that the Downs could have been something similar to Emmerdale or the Radio 4 soap The Archers I think it's safe to say that it was some kind of farming community.

"The ditches and gullies that we uncovered would have been used to store grain, which is further indication that a small farming community once lived on the Farthing Downs."

Farthing Downs' rich heritage makes it an archaeologists dream, according to Mr Taylor.

"Farthing Downs is one of the most impressive later prehistoric settlement sites that I've ever walked on," he said.

"The earth and chalk banks that once formed the tracks and boundaries of the Iron Age landscape are still visible on the ground today, more than 2,000 years after they were constructed."

And Mr Taylor has been overwhelmed by the interest Coulsdon residents have shown.

"It's been a fantastic experience and people have shown a real interest, which is always good to see.

"People walking on the Downs always came over and asked what we were doing, which is great.

"And the locals who contributed to the dig have really held their own and I've been really impressed with the work they have put in.

"Some days have been really hot but everyone got stuck in."