HUNDREDS of people descended on Colchester’s Roman Circus Centre to step back in time for the day.

Colchester’s Young Archaeologists Club held a Roman fun day to let people have a go at learning some new skills.

Archery, pottery, jewellery making and soldiers in armour were all on show.

Barbara Butler, group leader, said: “Most of us were busy from the time we opened to the time it closed.

“Many families visited the Roman Circus Centre for the first time.

“People were heard to remark ‘We didn’t know this was here’.

“Although the terracotta clay and the theatre masks ran out, there was still plenty to do.

“There was a Roman veteran to meet, Roman armour and tunics to try on, a Roman war horn to blow, a Roman trebuchet to find out about and Roman food to discover and concoct.”

The day was organised by the youngsters after they were challenged by Colchester archaeologist Philip Crummy to organise an event.

Funding was given by Essex County Council and Colchester Museums to help with the event, which took ten months to plan. The event kicked off a summer of events at the centre.

The next will be tomorrow at 11.30am when a free talk on cutlery of 300 years ago will be held.

There is no need to book. For more information, go to www.thecolchesterarchaeologist.co.uk.