AN ASTONISHING archaeological find has earned a York-based building company an award.

Staff from Hogg the Builder discovered the body of an ancient warrior princess and her chariot while they were building new homes at Wetwang, near Pocklington.

Historians believe the grave is the earliest chariot burial ever found and its contents have been donated to the British Museum.

To celebrate the find, Yorkshire Wolds Heritage Trust have given the company a conservation award.

The award praises the sensitive approach Hogg the Builder took once it revealed the Iron Age grave.

The burial site, which was unearthed in 2001, was believed to have lain undisturbed in Wetwang since the third of fourth century. The skeleton is said to be that of a female Celtic warrior aristocrat.

Mick Stanley, chairman of the Yorkshire Wolds Heritage Trust, said: "Chances of finding such wonderful preservations of our past are rare and must be taken when they appear. Few builders have the opportunity to foster heritage and it is worthy of attention when it happens."

John Tongue, of Hogg the Builder, said: "It was really a chance discovery, which took place during our usual site excavation process, and then turned out to be one of the most important archaeological finds in years.

"We were delighted to be a part of 'history in the making' and the find certainly added to the interest in the five homes which were subsequently built on the site."

Updated: 11:33 Monday, September 22, 2003