THE Government has been urged by York MP Hugh Bayley to invest more money in Britain's archaeology and heritage.

The MP was speaking while attending the annual general meeting of the York-based Council for British Archaeology, held at St William's College.

He said the Government spent £600 million a year on heritage, but more was needed.

He welcomed the Heritage Lottery Fund's £10 million grant towards the cost of restoring York Minster's great east window, which was the biggest medieval work of art anywhere in the world.

But he asked: "Should the protection of our greatest national treasures be left to the Lottery? We need money for researching, restoring and exhibiting smaller treasures too."

The MP said the funding for heritage should be increased in the comprehensive spending review to be announced in the autumn, arguing that the past was important because it provided lessons for the present day and the future.

He also called on the Government to strengthen the teaching of archaeology in the school curriculum and ensure that consistent policies were in place to protect and promote heritage in all government departments - including the planning system and schools as well as the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

He called for the 2012 Olympic Games to be used to showcase Britain's history and cultural heritage as well as its sporting powers.

He said heritage protection reforms had been detailed in a White paper published earlier this year, and the Government should now move forward with legislation to push these through.

Mr Bayley told council members that the Government listened to the organisation, which promotes archaeology and, if members of the public wanted to shape government policy on the issue, they should join it.

"You don't have to be a professional to join. You just have to care about the past. Lots of children are joining its young archaeologist clubs. The council provides a unique bridge between the public, professional archaeologists and government bodies."