UNEXCAVATED remains from the Roman city of Verulamium that have been damaged by years of ploughing could finally be saved.

St Albans Architectural and Archeological Society which has been at the forefront of a campaign to preserve the ancient relics has sent its first petition, containing 700 signatures, to English Heritage.

The group now wants even more people to sign up and add their voice to the campaign in the hope it will force English Heritage, which has ultimate responsibility for the protection of ancient monuments, to take urgent action.

But it believes that the future of the Roman remains looks more certain following last month's unanimous decision by St Albans District Council to press culture secretary Chris Smith on the issue.

The society also has the backing of the Government's Ancient Monuments Advisory Committee which has said it will reach a permanent solution with the Gorhambury estate within the next year.

Until then the tenant farmer on the estate, owned by Lord Verulam, has agreed to suspend all deep ploughing on the four fields where the remains lie, in some cases only eight inches below the surface.

Society president Kate Morris said: 'We will continue to press the Government agencies responsible for resolving this issue until the permanent solution is achieved, but would like to thank everyone for their contribution to saving this significant part of our national heritage.'

A spokesman for English Heritage said: 'We have not yet received the petition but we are in negotiation with the estate to activate a permanent end to the ploughing.'

Signature sheets are available from the council offices at the Civic Centre in St Peter's Street, for anyone still wishing to sign up.