Military history will be brought to life by a ground-breaking project spearheaded by a historian who has helped depict the horror of war on the Hollywood screen.

Work is set to begin later this month on replica First World War trenches at the new Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA) at the Kent Event Centre at Detling near Maidstone.

Trench detective and historical advisor Andy Robertshaw, who has worked with directors Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes and Peter Jackson on films such as War Horse and 1917, has teamed up with filmmakers and entrepreneurs to launch the new facility which will combine academic study, educational tours and a working film set.

Work on the recreation of the trenches of the Western Front is due to begin on March 29.

"A decade has passed since I built the first set of replica Great War trenches as research for my book 24hr Trench," Mr Robertshaw said.

"We discovered ways of day-to-day life of the average frontline soldier that historians have often struggled to convey by traditional means - how they ate, how they moved about in the trenches, how they went to the toilet.

"It has become our aim to broaden this style of research - experimental archaeology - to many other periods of history."

Once the First World War trenches are dug, the plan is for the facility to house reconstructions other periods from history, potentially Roman, Norman, English Civil War and Second World War.

The site will serve as a film set for both major studios and local filmmakers, as well as being open to schools, universities and tour groups.

CEMA creative director Ross Barnwell, a filmmaker who has worked with Mr Robertshaw on a number of projects in the past, said: "Our day-to-day learning and passions are no longer restricted by their traditional roots.

"We are entering a decade whereby information is presented in all manner of ways - informative YouTube videos, podcasts, virtual reality, video games. It’s time that history became a little more current without losing its core values."

CEMA says its early study of the area around the Kent Event Centre has uncovered evidence of a Roman watchtower, Saxon fortifications, and a well-preserved Norman motte-and-bailey just to the north of the site.

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