MYSTERIOUS human remains have been unearthed under the floor of a church.

Builders replacing the floor at St Mary’s Church, Lawford, made the gruesome discovery of the remains of four people just 18 inches under ground.

The bones were not in graves and had previously been disturbed, probably when an extension took place in Victorian times.

The Reverend Canon Pat Prestney said: “My first thought was, that I am used to dealing with death, but I am sorry to have disturbed somebody because I thought it was a grave.

“There was no suggestion whatsoever they were in a grave. Obviously, they have previously been disturbed and put together in one place.”

It was initially believed the bones could have belonged to priests, who were traditionally buried with their head to the east and feet to the west, the opposite way to other civilians, but there is not sifficient evidence to prove this.

Although the remains had adult-sized skulls, archaeologists cannot be sure if the bodies belonged to adults or even how old they could be.

Canon Prestney put a note with the remains so if they are uncovered in the future, the finders will know the circumstances surrounding this most recent discovery.

The remains have now all been reburied close to where they were found which was done “with great respect,” Canon Prestney said.

Remains of oysters and butcher’s meat were also found and are believed to have been left behind by builders working on the previous Victorian extension.

“You can just imagine work men there having lunch and just burying it,” Canon Prestney said.

The floor has now been levelled and builders are about to start putting the first new layer of it down.

The work is part of a project to install a £180,000 carbon-neutral under-floor heating system, which is designed to be more energy efficient.

Money for the heating work came about through grants, donations, and a loan was also needed.

A time capsule has been buried under the church floor and includes copies of the parish magazine, photographs, books about the village’s life and a booklet about the church.

Anyone who can help with donations for the project should call Canon Prestney on 01206 392659.