Human bones unearthed by builders in the back garden of a Cotswolds house may date back to Roman times, Gloucestershire police have said.

An investigation was launched by the police last Thursday when the bones were uncovered in Kemble, near Cirencester, and the area was sealed off as forensic tents were erected at the site.

The find led to inevitable speculation in the village that the remains could be connected with the Gloucester serial killer Fred West, who buried some of his 12 known victims at his home and in farm fields.

But today (November 10), after five days of searching the site, police suggested that the remains could have been buried at the site by the Romans almost two thousand years ago.

A police spokesperson said: "It has been established that the location is close to an ancient burial site and the layout of the bones is consistent with Roman burial."

"Work has now been completed at the property and the bones have been sent to be tested and carbon dated."