THE first time capsule buried at centuries-old Dunster Castle has revealed its secrets.

Ten years ago pupils at the village school hid a wealth of artefacts in the castle's Victorian wine cellars to mark the Millennium.

And this week they were unearthed - and another timebox buried which will be opened in 2020.

The turn of the century capsule contained a copy of the Free Press, as well as letters from pupils describing themselves and how they envisaged the future.

It also had school uniforms and toys from 1999, including the Teletubbies and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Some of the original timebox team, who are now students at the West Somerset Community College, returned for the ceremonial unearthing on Wednesday.

Jim Lee, the castle's learning officer, said he had been delighted to welcome the pupils to the opening of the first time capsule to be buried at the historic property.

"It's a fitting place for such a timebox to be deposited because the archaeological digs prove ancient cultures dating back 5,000 years are known to have buried them," he said.

"The class of 2010 have buried a new time capsule to be opened in 2020 and hopefully this will become an exciting aspect of castle and school tradition to be enjoyed by generations of pupils to come.

"It's about creating a living history for these young people."

Pictured above with head teacher Peter Hoyland and Mr Lee are former Dunster schoolchildren Ellie Scatchard, Harry Bullock, Lilly Weedon and Mikaela Fewings, who helped bury the 1999 capsule.

And below, current pupils Isobella Hole, Duncan Stothard, Aimee Farmer, Ellis Forman, Bella Richards, Molly Bullock, Joe Wake and Louis Scatchard join Mr Lee and Mr Hoyland to bury the new capsule. 

Photos: Steve Guscott