ROMAN soldiers and ancient treasures will provide a fascinating insight into Manchester's past tomorrow.

Visitors to Manchester Museum will have the chance to handle historic objects and learn about life in the city during the Roman occupation of Britain from 43AD until around 410AD.

Bryan Sitch, curator of archaeology, said: "Many Roman treasures can be found at the museum.

"There's a slave-chain, still in perfect condition and capable of holding six slaves by the neck, which was found at Bigbury in Kent, probably the site of one of Julius Caesar's victories over the British in 54BC.

"There's also a Roman soldier's bronze diploma, his demob certificate, dated February 27, 158AD, and two fine Roman altars.

"Also on display will be a piece of Roman ceramic vase, excavated in Manchester in 1978, and inscribed with a word-square which is probably the earliest evidence of Christianity in the country."

Manchester's origins can be traced back to Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola, who built a fort around 70AD on a hill where the River Medlock meets the River Irwell.

Fragments of the foundations of the final version of the fort can be found off Liverpool Road in Castlefield. The name `Manchester' came from the Roman `Mamucium', probably meaning `breast-like hill'.

Big Saturday: Roman Day, is on at the museum from 11am-4pm.