THE remains of a sixth century princess found in a Lechlade archaeological dig have been placed in a museum.

Because she was buried among jewellery, archaeologists decided to nickname her Mrs Getty. This was a joking reference to the wealthy American oil dynasty.

Mrs Getty's was one of 219 bodies recovered from an Anglo-Saxon burial ground in Butler's Field, Lechlade, in 1985.

Her face has been reconstructed by Dr Caroline Wilkinson, whose expertise has led to her services being in demand by the producers of television programme Meet The Ancestors.

Mrs Getty is thought to have been between 25 and 30 years old when she died about 1,500 years ago.

Her final resting place is the newly-revamped Corinium Museum.

The museum, in Cirencester, has been closed for two years to undergo a £5m restoration and improvement programme.

It will re-open to the public on Wednesday, September 15, with Mrs Getty taking pride of place in the new Anglo-Saxon Gallery.

John Paddock, Cotswold District Council's head of museum services, said: "It is thought Saxons buried their dead with treasures for use in the next life.

"We don't know how she died or exactly who she was, but thanks to the amazing reconstruction techniques available, we do know we are looking at the face of a real woman."