THE skeletons of three bodies and the skull of another, thought to date back to between the 12th and 14th centuries, have been discovered underneath the old cinema site in Malmesbury.

Workman John Brain made the grisly discovery when a mechanical digger he was using uncovered the skull during excavations at the site next to Malmesbury Abbey, where new houses are being built.

Building was immediately stopped and the ground was dug away to reveal three skeletons lying next to each other, facing east to west.

Later, another skull was discovered several yards away opposite Peter Scott bookmakers, behind the Market Cross.

None of the bodies were buried in a coffin.

Because of the site's close proximity to the abbey, the Cotswold Archaeological Trust was asked to be on site in case discoveries were made. Archaeologist Alistair Barber, 33, who was keeping an eye on the digging, spotted the skull when it was uncovered. "We're working so close to the abbey that it was always a possibility that bodies would be encountered," said Mr Barber. "Our suspicions are that they are male and it is likely the bodies will be reinterred in the churchyard.

He said developer Chase Homes which is building three houses on the site has given him and colleague Mark Brett as long as they need to examine the site.

Three of the bodies were removed yesterday and specialists based at the trust's headquarters in Kemble Business Park will determine their age, sex, and their date of burial.

The skull has remained at the site, but will be removed on Monday after the earth around it is cut away further.

Mr Barber said the remains of St Michael's Chapel, which was used by monks at Malmesbury Abbey in the 12th and 13th centuries, have also been discovered, as well as a medieval pottery.

Workman Mr Brain said this was the first time in his career he had come across dead bodies during digging.

"I wasn't surprised because we were so close to the abbey," he said.

The Rev David Littlefair, the vicar of Malmesbury Abbey, said he would give the bodies a Christian funeral, if asked.

"The bodies face east to west so would have been given Christian burials, and I would be happy to help in any way I can," he said.

The site was a graveyard until 1285 and also extended to the Market Cross when monks lived around the abbey.

The Abbey dates from 676 when a monastery was established, but was dissolved under Henry VIII in 1539.