ROMAN sites in Tynedale will be at the heart of a major six-month exhibition along Hadrian’s Wall next summer.

The Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition will celebrate the cavalry regiments which once guarded the Wall, exploring the role and daily life of the Roman Army’s cavalry forces.

It will run from April 8 to September 10, and will include one of the largest Roman cavalry re-enactments ever staged in the UK, at Carlisle’s Bitts Park in July.

But the exhibition is also coming to local Roman sites, including Vindolanda near Bardon Mill; Housesteads near Haydon Bridge; Chesters near Chollerford and Corbridge Roman Town.

The multi-organisation project is being funded by Art Council England’s Museum Resilience Fund.

Bill Griffiths, of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, is chairman of the Hadrian’s Wall Cavalry steering group.

He said visitors would be able to explore a unique collection of Roman cavalry objects, including ornate helmets, armour and weapons, which will be loaned from national and international museums.

He added: “This is a once in a lifetime experience, bringing together for the first time these very special Roman cavalry objects.

“To be able to do it across the museums and heritage attractions of Hadrian’s Wall, where cavalry regiments played a key role in protecting the empire, makes it even more exciting.”