Archaelogists are soon to move in on the grounds of Wigan Hall which until recently had been home to the town's senior cleric since the late 12th century.

In centuries past the Rector of Wigan was a very powerful and wealthy figure owning great swathes of land and property.

And before the present hall was built in the Victorian era it is believed its predecessor was a semi-fortified structure complete with a moat!

Wigan Archaeological Society has been scouring parts of Wigan and Ince for Roman relics in recent years but their hopes at this particular dig are focused on finding traces or artefacts from Medieval times, through the Tudor era and into Regency times.

While the soil of other parts of Wigan has been trawled by experts more than once in the past, this may well be the first ever dig on the hall site.

The grade two listed building is currently being assessed as a possible extension to the neighbouring Deanery High School and an archaeological survey is required before any work can begin in any case.

Rector of Wigan, Rev Ray Hutchinson, said: "There has been a hall on this site for many centuries and so who knows what lies within the grounds? I would hope to see the survey take place some time between now and the end of the summer."

A spokesman for the society said: "We could do some useful work on this very prestigious site which may date from the earliest part the Medieval period.

"The Hall itself stands on a raised platform but whether this is artificial or not is not clear (there is also reference to it once being moated).

"Looking at early maps it is clear that the present hall was built on the same site as the earlier hall. However the entrance to the grounds from Frog Lane (where the gatehouse is) was moved when the present hall was built – pushing Frog Lane further towards the town centre.

"Certainly there are a number of areas where resistivity surveys could be carry out and a topographic survey would also reveal the shape of the raised platform."