EXCAVATIONS were today being carried out on a well found in a North Yorkshire kitchen.

Shaun Robson found the well at Hazel Hill Farm, Huby, near Easingwold, last December.

He and his wife, Gillian, bought the property last November and were embarking on a major renovation when Shaun made a discovery.

Shaun, 38, a self-employed builder, was digging out the foundations of a new kitchen when he discovered a covered well - right in the middle of the proposed new room.

Carrying on undaunted, the couple decided to go ahead with their planned extension - incorporating the well into the new kitchen.

Gillian, 35, said: "We decided to make a feature of the well and left it open.

"We neatened it up and are going to add lighting and a big, thick piece of glass across the top. Now it looks really interesting."

They have rebuilt the top of the well, which measures 4ft across, and paved the rest of the room in reclaimed York stone.

Shaun said: "It was in pristine condition when we found it, and we put some work in. Now we are really pleased with it, it looks amazing."

The traditional farmhouse dates from about 1820, with the well thought to date back as far, if not farther.

The couple have now employed Easingwold builders Harpers to excavate the well, with initial explorations finding it to be eight metres deep.

Shaun said: "Building inspectors were amazed by the decision to keep it, they thought we would do what everyone else does and just fill it in, but we were ecstatic, it gives the house even more character."

The couple are now wondering just what the excavations will find, and will have the debris carried up to the surface, allowing them to trawl through for items of interest.

Gillian said: "It's all very exciting, and we are all secretly hoping they find treasure down there."

Shaun added: "If all goes to plan, this time next week we will be retired in Barbados."

Updated: 10:47 Thursday, February 27, 2003