Builders were unaware of capsule’s whereabouts

ISG has accidentally dug up a Blue Peter time capsule near the O2 Arena in Greenwich that was not meant to be unearthed until 2050.

Former presenters of the BBC programme, Richard Bacon and Katy Hill, buried the capsule in 1998. It contains items including a Tellytubby doll, a Blue Peter badge, a tamagotchi, a Spice Girls CD, and insulin pen, a set of British coins, photos of the Oblivion ride at Alton Towers, an asthma inhaler and a picture of Princess Diana.

The capsule was unearthed and damaged during excavation works on ISG’s £185m Designer Outlet Village scheme on the peninsula.

A spokesperson for ISG said the capsule was discovered during a reduced level dig on Tuesday, and although it was damaged, the contents remain untouched.

The capsule has been handed over to the client team at the O2 Arena, with a team from Blue Peter due to take a look at the capsule shortly.

ISG had been searching for the capsule since construction started on the scheme last year but was not previously aware of its whereabouts.

A replacement Blue Peter time capsule will now be created with the contents from 1998 reburied until 2050 as originally planned.

The ISG spokesperson added that the location of the capsule will be recorded once reburied so it can be accurately excavated in 2050.

The retail scheme at the O2 Arena is expected to be completed in late 2018.

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