Richard Allan

The Liberal Democrats have become the first main political party with a policy on archaeology.

Hailing the historic adoption an archaeology pledge, Lord Redesdale told the Liberal Democrat conference that ancient history was a coming fashion.

"Archaeology has been brought to the forefront of popular television programming with the growing fashion for historical and archaeological subjects," said the secretary of Westminster's all-party archaeological group.

"The Liberal Democrats are the first major political party to have a policy for archaeology. I hope the other parties will follow suite."

Living off the past is popular, modern and key to the tourist economy believes the party's leadership.

Sheffield MP Richard Allan - usually associated with calls to develop e-democracy - argued that archaeological sites need protection if the country's economic future is to be secured.

"Promoting archaeology and promoting archaeological sites is an essential element of out heritage industry whose significance for British tourism ad economic progress is consistently underrated," he said.

With boosts to road and house building programmes there will be more "encounters" with Britain's buried treasures, making the need for a clear policy greater, Allan insists.

"Protection for sites of archaeological interest cannot be underestimated, particularly as building development intensifies in England and Wales and people increasingly encounter archaeological remains. It is essential that the public are aware of what to do and that processes are in place to help them deal with it," he said.

"A suitable and practical legislative framework must be put in place to give archaeology the protection it deserves."