Remains of a pre-historic henge could be lying just feet below a Lincolnshire field, say experts.

Studies of a large site in Navenby, north of Lincoln, have revealed telltale signs of what could be the county's biggest henge.

The Bronze age place of ritual, worship or community gatherings is thought to be lying on a strip of land which was later turned into a Roman settlement.

Geophysics studies, which are used to detect underground geology and artefacts, have revealed a circular structure.

Archaeologist Jim Rylatt of Saxilby based firm Pre-construct Archaeology is part-way into a month-long excavation of nearby Roman ruins, and says the henge is believed to date to around 2,500BC.

He said: "It's 130 metres across which would make it the biggest henge in Lincolnshire. But it is still smaller than the henges in Salisbury Plain which are enormous.

"It might be that people from all across the area we now call Kesteven were coming here to arrange marriages or swap livestock."

Henges were circular enclosed areas surrounded by ditches.

Some had timber posts or stone circles.

Their exact purpose is unknown although some believe they were created for religious rituals.

Archaeologists could confirm the existence of a henge at Navenby by examining soil deposits just a few feet under the soil surface.

"It would only take one ditch to confirm whether or not it is a henge," said Mr Rylatt.

For more on the henge, see Monday's Echo.