URGENT action is needed to stop Roman remains in the Gorhambury Estate, where part of the Roman town of Verulamium once stood, from being lost forever.

St Albans district councillors were told on Wednesday that Roman relics buried across the estate's four fields are actively being damaged.

Archaeologists commissioned by English Heritage, who have carried out a series of surveys on the estate, say the remains are at risk from permanent damage unless ploughing on the fields is stopped.

Members at a meeting of the full council stepped up the fight to preserve the relics by voting in favour of a motion for the council's chief executive to ask culture secretary Chris Smith to consider withdrawing his support for ploughing at the designated Ancient Monument site.

Councillor Geoff Churchyard said: 'This is a unique national monument and how something as important as this comes to rest in private hands is beyond me.

'If I was the farmer, I would feel ashamed that I was doing damage to something so unique.'

Councillor Andrew Rose added: 'As custodians of the district it is up to us to take action to preserve this site for future generations.'

In a statement issued after the meeting, Gorhambury Estate's managing agent Mr Hugh Reeves said: 'While discussions continue over how best to achieve a viable long-term alternative agricultural use, the farming tenant has volunteered to minimise cultivation, so that only the upper part of the plough soil is disturbed, in order to safeguard the archaeological deposits.'