Skeleton and guns found during pub refurb

Work to restore a historic pub gutted by fire was held up after builders found a skeleton and a cache of wartime weapons.

Police and archaeologists were called to the Chequers Inn, at Bressingham, Norfolk after the pre-17th century bones and Second World War American guns and ammunition were discovered.

The intriguing finds were made as the pub is being rebuilt following a fire last year.

The human skeleton - believed to be from a Christian burial - predates the construction of the pub - more than 400 years ago.

And the firearms - five powerful US Browning pistols and a semi-automatic rifle and bullets - were produced between 1942 and 1944.

Inspector Gavin Money, of Norfolk Police, said archaeologists were trying to find out more about the skeleton and firearms.

"The guns are in a pretty poor condition and we do not know why they were there," he said.

"It was a pub during and after the war but the chances of finding out are quite limited."

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns, which owns the pub said building work had been delayed as the site was investigated but has now resumed. The company hopes to reopen the pub in the spring.