SMOKE signals will be rising over a village during the next fortnight as the archaeologists get busy on a second dig into history.

The next phase of excavations started on Monday at Rainford Library revealing previous usage of the site in Church Road.

The library stands on the site of a pub and a clay tobacco pipe workshop, where clay pipes were produced up until the early 20th Century. The pipe shop was demolished in the 1950s when the current library was built.

The dig is part of the ‘Rainford’s Roots’ community heritage project organised by the Merseyside Archaeological Society and National Museums Liverpool.

Last summer the team excavated part of the site and investigations will continue teaching Rainford residents and volunteers various archaeological skills.

Rainford Roots’ community project officer Samantha Rowe said: “Locals, volunteers and pupils from Rainford High will have the opportunity to excavat the site and process artefacts.”

Visitors can attend the site tomorrow between 1pm and 2pm and join a guided tour of the area on June 26 between 1.30pm and 3pm.

An exhibition of finds from the 2013 dig will go on display in the library from June 30 for three weeks.

A larger exhibition of Rainford pottery will go on display at the Museum of Liverpool on July 1 for a month.