Archaeological work began early after shopkeepers raised concerns that construction might continue in to the Christmas shopping period.

But historians and transport officials still hope to finish work on the Westgate Street station ahead of schedule.

Historians knew the site held interesting remains but finds so far have included Neolithic pits containing worked flints, charcoal and decorated pottery dating back around 5,000 years.

Nicholas Palmer is principal field archaeologist at Warwickshire Museum. He said: "It will be the earliest settlement in the Midlands for which we have evidence.

"The finds are interesting and significant and this gives us the opportunity to get a proper date for the settlement using radio carbon dating."

Historians also hope to link an unexpected haul of clay tobacco pipes from the mid-1800s and fragments of the kiln in which they were made to census records of five people working in the pipe trade.

There are also several layers of medieval remains alongside Market Street, an area of road surface dating to the 1600s laid over the town's earlier defensive ditch and several large rubbish pits from the 1700s and 1800s.

The foundations of the old Mulberry Tree pub, the former line of Market Street - known as Wall Dyke until the 1800s - and the foundations of several buildings that once lined the street before it was moved in the 1960s have also been uncovered.

Finds from the site such as pottery and coins will eventually go on display at the Market Hall Museum in Warwick.

Mr Palmer added: "It all adds to our knowledge of the history of Warwick. Before work began we had a list of things we might expect but you never know what you are going to find."