A TOTAL of 20 skeletons have now been found on the old cinema site close to Malmesbury's historic abbey.

Three skeletons and the skull of a fourth were discovered by workmen employed by Chase Homes.

The developer is building homes and on the site, which was once a graveyard, next to the abbey. This week it was confirmed that more skeletons had been found.

Chris Kent, chief executive of Chase said around 20 skeletons had now been discovered.

It is expected the Rev David Littlefair, the vicar of Malmesbury Abbey, would give all the bodies a Christian funeral.

The skeletons are thought to date from between the 12th and 14th centuries.