It seems that everywhere you look in town, there are cones, signs and men digging great big holes in the ground.

But I've noticed a curious phenomenon over the last week, as I've travelled round the streets.

It seems that those responsible for excavating the highways are spending a considerable amount of time standing at the edge of their craters and staring downwards, as if they're looking for something.

After a few minutes of close examination, they usually then huddle around and talk furtively among themselves before going back for a second look.

And so the process begins again.

This has brought me to the following conclusion.

Rather than tending to the usual water-mains or underground electric cables, they're actually prospecting for gold.

Could it be a cunning plan engineered by the new unitary authority, to tap into mineral wealth as yet undiscovered beneath the streets of Alnwick to pay off its crippling debts?

If they start panning in the River Aln, then we'll know we're onto something.