HISTORY buffs in Tytherington are counting on modern technology to solve the mystery of human remains unearthed in the village.

Bones accidentally excavated during maintenance work at St James' Church have been sent to a top laboratory for high tech carbon dating.

The "jumble" of bones - thought to belong to at least four people - were discoved at the base of the church tower - at a level deeper than recent burial areas - during work to instal new lightning conductors.

Local history buffs believe the remains are at least 800 years old and could even date from pre-Roman times.

Tytherington Local History Group chairman Roger Howell said the bones were found during deep excavation work.

"They were in an area which was chopped by the foundations of a 15th century buttress so they have to be older than 500 to 600 years," said Mr Howell.

"The earliest part of the tower dates from around 1160 and it's likely the bones were put into position at the same time as that was being erected.

"They were probabaly disturbed by the 12th century builders and reburied at the spot close up to the church where we found them. It's even possible that the site had been a prehistoric cemetery and that the remains are considerably older than we think.

"Personally, I would like them to be Iron Age, but at the moment your guess is as good as mine."

He said they were now awaiting the results of carbon dating by the Oxford Research Laboratory for Archaeology and in the meanwhile the bones had been deposited with Thornbury Museum.

"Having just one sample dated is an expensive business at £350 plus VAT but we are hoping for some grant aid and Thornbury Musuem has also offered us support," said Mr Howell.

"We are elso running a little "guess the date" competition to help with the costs. There's £1 entry fee and people can deposit their guesses in a box at Tytherington Village Shop."

The person who guesses closest to the Carbon 14 date - expected some time next month - will receive a £15 book token.

The eventual fate of the remains has not yet been decided although it is possible they may be re-interred during a short religious ceremony.