FORENSIC and archeological experts are testing the age of bones unearthed from a former religious burial ground.

Four human bones were discovered by builder Graham Luxton on council-owned land in Thomason Fold, Edgworth.

Mr Luxton was doing some excavation work on the site, a former Congregationlist Chapel, in preparation for the building of a four-bedroom detached house.

Two bones, believed to be those of a woman and child, were taken for tests by archeologists at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Another two bones remain lodged at the site.

Mr Luxton said: "It's one of those things really. In this job you tend to see a lot of things which are a bit bizarre and really all I want to do is get cracking on the work again.

"When I told the client of the discovery he was a little put off at first. It has put the work back a bit. Instead of finishing at Christmas, the house will not be ready until around Easter."

Mr Luxton revealed he had found human remains before, when he worked on the Royal Bolton Hospital which was built on the site of a former workhouse.

Experts fear more bones could be dislodged and have ordered excavation work to stop while special licences permitting the removal of bones are passed by a coroner. Police and scene of crime officers attended the scene.

Forensic anthropologist at the University of Central Lancashire Anthony Forde, said: "We went to the site, excavated down and found some other bones. It appeared to be a cemetery.

"If the bones are more than 100 years old the site could be excavated to see just how old they are and to determine other factors, such as if they are diseased. They can then be immediately re-buried."

However if tests prove the bones are less than 100 years old they could be advertised for possible relatives in the area to re-claim them.

John Darlington, Lancashire County Council Archeologist, said the site was first a Congregationalist Chapel erected in 1822 before being replaced by another Independent Chapel in 1867, and demolished around 100 years later.

Mr Darlington said: "At this stage it is difficult to to see whether they are more than 100 years old or not. But everyone is very mindful that these are human remains and they should be treated with respect.

"As soon as the licences are granted there will be a full investigation to see how many other graves are down there. What is most likely to happen is that we remove the remaining bones and re-bury them somewhere else."

It is believed that planning permission for the building had been sought and given the green light by planners at Blackburn with Darwen Council.