SOUTHEND Museum is teaming up with a local college to give the next generation of archaeologists hands on experience of the profession.

The council-run museum is working with Seevic College in Benfleet to help with its new A-level archaeology course, starting in September, allowing students to visit collections at Victoria Avenue, Southend.

There they will get practical experience in handling historical artefacts, which includes a number items recovered from the HMS London wreck off Southend Pier, and museum staff will also lead some college sessions to share their expertise.

The London sank in 1665 after a catastrophic gunpowder explosion, killing 300, but was only rediscovered in 2008.

Students from the Runnymede Chase college will also be able to choose objects from the museum which have not yet been fully investigated for their individual case studies.

Councillor Graham Longley said: “This is a really exciting development which will be great mutual benefit for the museum and for the college.

“We hope that the regular contact with the museum will inspire students to consider volunteering in some of our projects.

“We look forward to welcoming the students into the museum and hope this joint approach will give them thoroughly productive help with their course.”

For more details about the course, contact Seevic College by phone 01268 756 111 or email info@seevic-college.ac.uk