A team of botanical experts have begun unearthing a rediscovered garden in the grounds of a Jersey hotel.

The work is part of a feasibility study to restore the garden at the Chateau la Chaire Hotel at Rozel.

During the late 1800s the garden was a leading attraction on the island, but for many years it lay neglected, and was only recently rediscovered.

Researchers have now discovered that the garden was designed by the famous Victorian horticulturalist Samuel Curtis.

Metal detectors

"This is really exciting," said Tony Russell, a botanical advisor from the UK.

"What they are finding is what we hoped they would find.

"In Victorian times plants would have metal labels which would eventually fall off the plants and get lost within the soil.

"So a good way of working out what used to be in each of the beds is to use metal detectors and see if you can find some of those old plant labels, that's what we have done."

An additional �30,000 is needed to complete the feasability survey to determine whether it will be possible to restore the garden as a site of special interest.