A SKULL found beneath a Worcester city centre street has baffled archaeologists.

It was believed that the body, whose sex has still to be identified, was part of the former St Nicholas Church in The Cross, Worcester, but experts now say this is not the case.

They are confused as to why the remains, now thought to be from the 1700s, were found where they were - in front of the church, which is now the RSVP bar.

Hal Dalwood, project manager for Worcestershire County Council, said: "It is proving a bit of a mystery to be honest, as the body was found outside the area we know to be former burial ground.

"We don't think there was anything suspicious about the death and the person was given a Christian burial.

"We are going to do some more work to see if we can find out what is going on, and then the body will be interred in Worcester cemetery."

The remains were discovered last week by workmen who were putting in a new cycle shelter and were just two feet below the surface.