CAMPAIGNERS have launched a petition to gauge the strength of feeling about repatriating the remains of Scottish soldiers buried in mass graves near Durham Cathedral nearly 400 years ago.

The move comes after new analysis confirmed skeletons discovered during construction of a new cafe for Durham University’s Palace Green Library belonged to Scottish soldiers taken prisoner by Oliver Cromwell after the Battle of Dunbar in 1650.

Experts believe 1,700 of them died of malnutrition, disease and cold - buried around what is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The jumbled remains of up to 28 individuals were uncovered by Durham University archaeologists.

Scottish amateur historian George Wilson says he believes the remains of the "Dunbar Martyrs" should be returned and repatriated to their homeland and to an appropriate site for re-burial.

Within a day of the launch of the petition more about 120 have people agreed.

Mr Wilson said: “It is good that Durham University are saying they want a dialogue (with us) on what the next steps should be.

“I think we have be very sensitive here - it is a moral issue as well as to do with the legalities of what you do with human remains.

“ These were relatives and ancestors of people in Scotland. I think the right thing do do would be to repatriate them to their homeland."

Mr Wilson was among the interested parties approached by a team from Durham University, who along with representatives of Durham Cathedral, will determine their fate of the remains.

These discussions are likely to include the Church of Scotland, since the prisoners would have been predominantly Scottish Presbyterians.

Remembrance prayers will be said at Durham Cathedral this evening (Thursday, September 3), the anniversary of the Battle of Dunbar – and ironically the very day Cromwell died eight years later.

Canon Rosalind Brown, of Durham Cathedral, said: “There is a plaque at Durham Cathedral in commemoration of the Scottish soldiers, which was dedicated in November 2011 on St Andrew’s Day.

“The discovery of the bodies and the conclusion they are some of the Scottish soldiers is of great significance.

“The cathedral will work closely with all interested parties to determine the most appropriate course of action for the burial of the soldiers in a manner appropriate to their Christian tradition.

“We are particularly mindful of descendants of the Scottish soldiers and hope and pray that this new information can bring solace.”