Medieval bones discovered under Hexham charity shop floor

The remains of seven people were found at the site in Hexham

The skeletal remains of seven people have been found under the floor of a former charity shop.

The medieval bones were in the former Scope premises in Hexham, Northumberland.

Builders uncovered the remains while they were installing a lift.

Craig Huddart, chief executive of archaeology firm The Rocket Group, said it was a "really exciting discovery" given there had not been "an expectation to uncover human remains".

He said the bodies were originally buried under the floor of a chapel on the site which "suggests that they died in the medieval period".

The shop is on Beaumont Street, across the road from Hexham Abbey, and would have been part of its precinct in the 7th Century.

Mr Huddart said that the discovery allowed archaeologists to "uncover more of the fascinating history of medieval Hexham".

Finding the bones

An archaeologist was on site while the work was being carried out and was required to contact the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) when the discovery was made.

The MoJ granted permission for the bodies to be exhumed but police involvement was not required.

"Our osteoarchaeologist was able to visit the site to make a decision about whether it was a recent murder or whether it was older [and not suspicious]," said Mr Huddart.

Analysis of the remains is taking place and further building work will be carried out under "archaeological supervision".

The bodies will then be given a Christian burial and blessed by a priest.

It is hoped the remains will be reburied in Hexham.