YORK may have lost the remains of its most infamous son, but Richard III’s favourite friary in the city is about to be subject to an archaeological dig.

Hidden Guildhall could become one of York’s most exciting archaeological ventures since Hungate and who knows what the team might dig up.

Experts say they hope to uncover significant remains relating to York’s Roman and medieval past at a site which, almost uniquely here, has remained largely undisturbed over the last 500 years.

King Richard famously stayed at the friary when visiting the city, and many local nobles killed during the Wars of the Roses are thought to have been buried on the site.

Now it is hoped archaeologists will be able to shed new light on the lives of the friars, the location of the friary buildings and possibly the identities of those who were buried here.

There is even a chance that remains of Roman river-front structures could be discovered.

It’s easy to become blasé about history when you live in a city so rich in it, but that is what makes York so special. And the thrill of finding something never before seen is what makes archaeology so fascinating.

You, too, can sign up to join the excavation, or visit the site and get involved with a range of free activities at the site.

Now that might be a good way to keep the little darlings out of mischief until the new term begins.