MORE than 540 years after they died, victims of the battle said to be the bloodiest ever fought on British soil have a new memorial.

The Battle of Towton, near York, in 1461, led to the deaths of 30,000 men. The local beck was said to have run red with their blood for days afterwards.

Now, a stone pyramid has been erected on the spot in Saxton Church where the remains of 69 of the dead, found nine years ago, have been reburied.

Designed by the artist Steve Hines, it was the result of two years of fundraising by archaeology enthusiasts.

It was unveiled by academic Tim Sutherland, a battlefield detective who has spent years working on the site.

"This is such an important site," he said.

"On our doorstep, we have one of the country's best preserved and most interesting battlefields - but also the most forgotten."

* The battle took place on March 29 in 1461 - Palm Sunday. Henry VI's Lancastrian army was shattered by forces loyal to Edward IV. York was on the Lancastrian side, and 1,000 men from the city perished there.