EXTRA beach observers are needed along the whole of the Suffolk coastline to look for more historic artefacts following the discovery of an ancient dugout.

EXTRA beach observers are needed along the whole of the Suffolk coastline to look for more historic artefacts following the discovery of an ancient dugout.

Archaeologists have decided that observations need to be intensified to establish more about the history of the coast, particularly around Covehithe where a dugout was trawled up by a Dunwich fisherman five years ago.

Suffolk Underwater Studies has been engaged in a study of the coast for 17 years. The operation has been carried out by beach volunteers who cover a 4.6-mile strip of the coast in their area.

The study includes erosion, deposition, Second World War debris, historical and archaeological items, oil deposits, dead birds and fish, ships' timbers and other items.

On June 16, 1998, a dugout was found and placed in a lagoon at Dunwich where it remained until last November when it was taken to a conservation tank at the Deep Sea Exploration Marine Finds Laboratory at Bentwaters, near Woodbridge.

The 16-foot long dugout was not the first early marine artefact to be found in the area of Covehithe Broad. Two side rudders from the 10th century and flint tools have been discovered.

Stuart Bacon, a director of Deep Sea Exploration and Suffolk Underwater Studies, said: ''All of this information is of great value to students, researchers and marine engineers and people interested in the physical processes of the coast. The recent discovery of an 8th century dugout off Covehithe and earlier discoveries of ancient side rudders have intensified interest in the Covehithe and Easton Bavents areas.

''English Heritage have recently taken over responsibility for sites of historical and archaeological interest along the UK's coastline and 12 miles offshore which includes the protected Dunwich Bank Wreck.

''The Covehithe dugout has become of considerable interest to English Heritage archaeologists and it has been decided to intensify observations in that area in order to attempt to understand even more the coastal retreat and archaeology of that part of the Suffolk coastline. It has also been decided to increase the number of beach observers along the whole of the Suffolk coastline.''

Potential new volunteers should write to Suffolk Underwater Studies, Front Street, Orford, Suffolk IP12 2LN.