WORKMEN digging up part of a York street found ancient human remains today.

North Yorkshire Police were called to Bishophill Senior at about 4.35pm today, after a crew from Northern Gas Networks discovered what they thought to be part of a human skull.

Police this evening said that archaeologists had confirmed the skull was historic and had been there for centuries. 

A spokesman for the gas company said: "Engineers from Northern Gas Networks responding to a gas escape in York have unearthed what is believed to be an ancient skull.

"The remains were found on Bishophill Senior when engineers had to dig below a leaking gas main. As soon as the remains were found, the situation was made safe and work was stopped."

Bishophill Senior is home to one of the oldest religious sites in York.