A Time Team-style dig at a Bradford beauty spot could unearth remains of medieval mines.

Experts believe that mounds of earth in Judy Woods at Wyke indicate primitive - and dangerous - efforts at mining for coal and iron.

The Friends of Judy Woods are seeking funding for an archaeological survey of the woodland to try to discover more about its past.

The project, named the Roots of Judy Woods, has yet to go out to tender but a possible contractor is Bradford University, which was involved in a similar project in Huddersfield.

That dig, at Myers Wood, uncovered the remains of a 700-year-old monastic iron-making complex.

John McIlwaine, contracts manager at the University's School of Archaeological, Geographic and Environmental Sciences, said there was evidence in Judy Woods of mines which could date back to the medieval period, approximately the 12th to 15th centuries. He said: "There has certainly been some industrial activity on the site."

"In the Old Hanna Wood area there are mounds of earth of various sizes which will have been bell pits.

"This was a primitive mining technique in which people would dig for coal and iron, leaving the earth piled up at the top of the hole."

The hazardous method often resulted in the collapse of the holes with miners still inside.

But it was used right up to the industrial revolution, when drainage pumps made it possible to dig deeper.

Mr McIlwaine said: "We might find there has been damage to the bell pits because they are very attractive to cyclists and motorcyclists who like to ride up and down them."

Other sites of interest include an eightenth century water mill in Parish Wood and the grounds of Royds Hall, a possible site of medieval settlement.

Mr McIlwaine said: "There is also evidence of iron in the soil on the Low Moor side, so it's likely that iron extraction took place.

"But we won't know exactly what's there until we carry out the survey."

The first stage will be a walk-through of each section of the woods, with descriptions and photographs being taken, followed by a survey using geophysical techniques.

This involves the kind of detectors used in TV's Time Team series which find irregularities under the ground using a small electrical current.

The Friends have applied for funding from the Local Heritage Initiative and Nationwide, which gives community grants.

Friends chairman Peter Walker said: "We just decided one day it would be interesting to find out what was under the woods and what had happened there. We got in touch with West Yorkshire Archaeological Services, which referred us to the university.

"It's quite exciting. Once the funding is approved there's no reason why we shouldn't start soon."

The dig will involve children from High Fernley and Woodside Primary Schools, who recently planted almost 500 trees on the site as part of a project with Royds Community Association.