Human bones unearthed from an old rubbish tip date from ancient times, it was finally confirmed today.

The remains are now being treated as archaeological find although the details are still being passed to the local coroner.

The bones were dug up from the old Towthorpe Tip, at Strensall near York, late last week by a digger operator.

Police were informed and declared the area to be a crime scene while they carried out a painstaking search of the site.

However a pathologist and an archaeologist carried out a detailed examination of the recovered remains yesterday and concluded they were of ancient origin. The police search has now been called off and no further investigation will be carried out by detectives.