A building materials company has helped archaeologists dig deeper into the past, on a site of unique historical importance.

Lefarge Tarmac owns the Baker’s Hole site in Northfleet and has been working alongside Natural England and English Heritage to help unearth finds from the Stone Age.

Vegetation clearance has been carried out by the three organisations in order to work on the area.

One flint artefact was found and other sediment samples have been taken for analysis.

Previously on the site, stone tools, mammoth teeth and fossils such as giant deer, bear and lion have been found.

Baker’s Hole is considered an extremely important site in regards to the colonisation of Britain by Neanderthal man, with evidence of Stone Age technology such as flint tools.

The area also contains evidence of a diverse array of large mammal bones.

Baker’s Hole is considered unique as it is one of the few non-cave Palaeolithic sites on the national list of protected ancient monuments.

It is also a Site of Special Scientic Interest (SSSI).

Dr Francis Wenban-Smith, of the Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, said: “I can’t wait to start analysing the results from this new phase of work.

“This small patch of ground has the potential to tell us so much about when and how Neanderthals first came into Britain.

"I am very grateful to Lafarge Tarmac, English Heritage and Natural England for supporting this project.”

Clare Charlesworth from English Heritage, said: “Baker’s Hole archaeological site was added to English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk Register last year because thick scrub and animal burrowing are endangering this significant archaeological site.

“Faunal remains are also decaying due to exposure to the elements. This clearance work is a step towards safeguarding this rare landscape for future generations.”

Jonathan Toyn, from Lafarge said: “We are very pleased to be working with Natural England and English Heritage to safeguard and enhance the geological SSSI and we look forward to our future partnership on this site.”