A 500-year-old Royal murder mystery could be solved by archaeological work being carried out on a tomb in Worcester Cathedral.

Scientists have taken a step closer to unravelling the mystery surrounding the death of Prince Arthur, in 1502, which has dogged historians for five centuries.

The Prince was 15 when he died at Ludlow Castle and then buried in the Cathedral, making way for his brother Henry VIII to take the throne.

But there has always been speculation the then Prince of Wales, married to Catherine of Aragon, was poisoned, possibly by his father, Henry VII.

Now, Professor John Hunter, of Birmingham University, has completed investigative work on Arthur's Chantry to locate the prince's remains, before a spectacular re-enactment of his funeral in the city next month.

But any scientist who is then keen to exhume Arthur and carry out toxicology tests would have to secure permission from the Queen.

So far, the team of archaeologists have been using radar equipment, similar to that used to find serial killer Fred West's victims, to pinpoint the skeleton.

Prof Hunter said that, if traces of collagen or soft tissue were on the body, a DNA test could determine if Arthur had been poisoned.

"We're working on data from the radar as we need to find the body inside the tomb which has been rebuilt and moved closer to the altar since the funeral.

"The probable reason for this was that, at the time of his sudden death, Arthur was buried in a part of the Cathedral not appropriate for his Royal status.

"In those days, the more important you were, the nearer the altar you had to be to speed your way to heaven."

Prof Hunter said that, even if archaeologists found the skeleton, there were ethical reasons governing whether it should be exhumed.

"The Queen would have to give her permission and a toxicologist would have to carry out the relevant DNA tests," he said.

"Although this would be fascinating to do, we have to remember that we're dealing with a dead person and have to respect this.

"Of course, if it's discovered he was poisoned and shouldn't have died, his brother Henry VIII would not have been king and, subsequently, we wouldn't have the Church of England."

Anyone wanting to take part in the re-enactment, being filmed on Friday, May 3, should call Steve Quick on 01905 722322.