ENGINEERS unearthed more than they had bargained for as they dug deep under a North Yorkshire street.

They uncovered a near-perfect skeleton, believed to date back to pre-Roman times – as they excavated in Norton-on-Derwent, near Malton.

The team from Yorkshire Water were digging a hole for a new sewer in Sutton Street, to help prevent flooding in the area, when they noticed a bone about ten feet down.

Project manager Karl Nagy said: “We were really lucky that the skeleton was right in the corner of the hole rather than chopping part of it off.

“According to our archaeologist, the fact it’s a Roman town and the way she was laid out suggests pre-Roman. He thinks it is a woman as well, due to the bones.”

The skeleton was found earlier this week and work was stopped to allow the archaeologist to examine the site and for the body to be removed. It has now been sent for testing by experts and will eventually be reburied.

“All the local residents have been out and had a look and seemed to be quite thrilled that we had found something in their road,” said Mr Nagy.

“We phoned the head master and the history department of Norton College, as we thought it was a great opportunity and they dropped their studies and came straight over.”