Bits of 400-year-old shipwreck found on Dorset beach

What's the most exciting treasure you've ever found on a beach? Maybe a shiny seashell, some colourful sea glass or an old bucket and spade?

You probably wouldn't expect to find part of a historic shipwreck - but that's what's been discovered, buried in the sand at Studland Bay in Dorset.

Storm Chandra helped to uncover the piece of the ship, which is about 2m wide and 6m long – around the same length as a school minibus.

Experts at Bournemouth University think it's from a Dutch trading ship called Fame from Hoorn, an armed Dutch merchant which got stuck in shallow water and sank in 1631.

The wreck, called the Swash Channel wreck, was first discovered near Poole Harbour in the 1990s.

According to the National Trust, which owns Studland Bay, the remains could have been buried since the 1630s.

Tracey Churcher, who is general manager for the National Trust in Purbeck, said: "I'm always astounded by the history we find at Studland but this has been a real treasure."

The experts at Bournemouth University have asked Historic England for money so they can carefully dig up the piece of the ship.

Scientists are going to test the wood to see if it matches wood from the Swash Channel wreck.

If it does, it will prove that they have come from the same ship.

It will be also mean the remains will be protected by law, because the Swash Channel wreck is very old and rare.

Only people with special permission will be able to touch or move it.

It's hoped that the piece of the ship will eventually go on display at Poole Museum, but for now visitors at the beach have been asked not to touch it to help keep it safe.