Human bones discovered by construction workers in Whitstable are believed to have been from an ancient grave.

The skeletal remains were found in Doggerel Acre off Millstrood Road during the excavation of a grass verge at 2.30pm yesterday.

The scene was taped off so forensic officers could carry out their investigations.

It has since emerged the bones are believed to be hundreds of years old.

Police spokesman Adam Westgarth said: "Initial tests indicate the remains are from an ancient grave."

Lorna McCarthy, who lives in Millstrood Road, said: "When I first saw them I thought it might have been a murder, but then the officers said bones had been discovered.

"We haven't been here long but I was told this used to be church land so maybe that's a factor."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said police had been guarding the scene since 4pm yesterday.

She added construction workers had been on the site fixing a long-standing problem with the drains.

She said: "My husband went out there and spoke to one of the officers and he said some old bones and pottery had been found.

"I even sent the kids out there to find out more but the police didn't say anything to them."

The discovery of skeletal remains is the second in the district in the space of a month.

On April 18 human bones were found by a member of the public in Kemberland Woods near Sturry.

Forensic tests showed they were those of an elderly man believed to have gone missing in the late 1990s.