Tracy Woosley clears undergrowth around the dolmen, which might now be excavated. Archaeology officer Phillip de Jersey believes that finds might lurk underneath its remaining stones. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0701483)

A NEOLITHIC monument at Delancey Park is being given some much-needed care as part of a Culture and Leisure scheme to improve the park.

Guernsey Museum archaeology officer Phillip de Jersey is heading a team as they clear brambles, gorse and litter from an ancient passage grave that has been hidden away for decades.

‘We started last week as part of a wider plan by Culture and Leisure to tidy up that part of Delancey,’ said Mr de Jersey.

The capstones from the passage grave are missing, but the upright stones that would have supported them are still present although some have fallen or shifted.

The chamber would have been about 1.5 metres wide by 10 metres, making it as long as La Varde dolmen at L’Ancresse, the largest one on the island.

It is about 5,000 years old.

The dolmen was discovered in 1919 by labourers clearing undergrowth but has never been fully explored.