Work on a �13m professional theatre and arts centre in south Wales has been delayed after archaeological remains were found on the site.

Tests at the Newport site are now being carried out on a considerable amount of timber that was found, to see if they are significant.

Hopefully we should find out very quickly what sort of age the timber is, and that will help us considerably

Ian Varrah, Newport council

Contractors moved onto the riverside site in May to start building the theatre and arts centre.

But work has been held up since Friday when archaeologists unearthed the timber in what would be the orchestra pit.

Ian Varrah, from Newport council, said one theory is that its part of an old wharf.

"The most signficant thing is that we need to date it and record what is there," he said.

"Hopefully we should find out very quickly what sort of age the timber is, and that will help us considerably."

Newport is enjoying a run of good news

Mr Varrah says the council will do whatever is required if the remains are found to be of historical value.

The riverside development is expected to provide a world class facility for cultural events.

Plans include a 500-seat theatre, a 150-seat studio theatre, recording and dance studios, workshop spaces, an art gallery and a cafe/bar.

Designed by architects Austin-Smith, it is due to be opened in 2004.

As well as acting as a base for the local arts community, the centre will also seek to attract professional performances and touring productions.

The Queen visited Newport on her Jubilee tour

Earlier this year, Newport was handed city status as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

In June, the Queen visited the new city during her tour of the country.

The arts centre and the city status have helped to boost Newport's image.

It also won a place on the international sporting map when the nearby Celtic Manor Resort won the race to host golf's prestigious Ryder Cup tournament in 2010.

However, the area has suffered a series of major factory closures and redundancies, including last year's decision by Corus to close part of the giant Llanwern steelworks.