A quarry which yielded one of the country's most important archeological finds will be protected from development.

The discovery of Boxgrove Man in a gravel pit near Chichester astounded experts because his shin bone proved to be the oldest human remains ever uncovered in Britain.

Further excavation uncovered more ancient remains and relics nearby, including numerous axes.

West Sussex County Council planners decided the site should be preserved for future generations at a meeting this week.

Members approved restoration plans put together with archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology's Boxgrove Project.

The quarry was saved for the nation earlier this year when it was purchased by English Heritage.

Experts said the site has probably explained more about how humans lived than anywhere else.

Planning conditions imposed in the Seventies would have meant the former sand and gravel quarry having to be restored for agricultural use, preventing any further exploration work.

But the restoration was put on hold when Boxgrove Man, who dates to the Ice Age, was uncovered a decade ago.

This week's decision will mean that instead of being obliged to turn the site to farmland, it can be used for more research projects.

English Heritage, the Institute of Archaeology and University College, London, are planning to make the site a major centre of education, research and archeological training.