THE body of a Benedictine monk who founded an elite public school is being returned home 200 years after being buried.

Father Bede Brewer was one of the founder members of Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.

His body was discovered in the crypt of a derelict church in Liverpool by developers Urban Splash, who are converting the grade-II listed building into offices.

Bill Maynard, company director of Urban Splash, said: ''We knew there were bodies in the church when we acquired it but we weren't entirely sure where they were.

''Some of the builders found them in a crypt at the end of the building including Father Brewer's remains.

''We are in discussion with Ampleforth and hope to return the body back to them.''