AN archaeological investigation is to take place on the proposed site of North Ayrshire’s new Additional Support Needs (ASN) School.

The work will be carried out on the Auchenharvie playing fields from mid-late November and is expected to last around two to three weeks.

West of Scotland Archaeological Services (WOSAS) believe the land could have buried archaeological material from the prehistoric period and more recently from the 19th century.

The archaeologists will assess the area and if significant materials are discovered a decision will be taken in how best to record and preserve them.

The preservation of them in situ is usually the preferred option by archaeologists.

If this is not possible, the excavation and detailed recording of the remains could be a suitable alternative.

Councillor John Bell, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Employment, said: “We have been in discussions with the West of Scotland Archaeological Service and felt it was important that these works get undertaken during November/December 2018 in order to mitigate the risk to the project should any items of interest be found.

“Any findings and their importance will be assessed and, along with our colleagues at WOSAS, we will look at how best we can record and recognise items of significant historical value.”

The archaeological team will explore trenches – either 50m x 2m or 20m x 2m – with four or five opened for investigation each day and then they will be reinstated at the end of the day.

Trenches will be created on a rolling programme.

Pedestrian barriers will be used to prevent access to the working areas.

WOSAS will only require the use of 1x11 a side pitch and the pitch closest to the Academy will be retained for use.