WHEN a shocked gardener dug up human bones on her allotment a major police operation went into action.
Officers arrived at the plot of land in the Palmerston Road allotment site in Woodston, Peterborough, and immediately set up a crime scene.

Forensic officers carried out a detailed inspection under the cover of a white tent, while a police officer stood guard outside.

Hardy allotment holders already working their land watched the police activity on Saturday afternoon with bemusement.

Some feared the keen gardener, who has not been named, had dug up the remains of a murder victim buried under her vegetable patch.

However, a vital clue was later unearthed when the remains of what is thought to be an ancient Roman bowl was discovered alongside more bones.

Today, the bones and the pottery were being examined by a forensic archaeologist who will attempt to work out how old they are, and how they came to be buried beneath the allotment.

Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman Kate Burke said: "The allotment holder discovered a number of bones, which we believe to be human.

"An investigation is under way and we are currently trying to work how the bones came to be buried at the site.

"A forensic archaeologist visited
the site on Sunday and he is carrying out tests. We hope he will be able to tell us how old they are."

Allotment holders and local residents yesterday spoke of their shock at the discovery.

Nicola Pepe (66), who lives in nearby Queen's Walk, has been an allotment holder at the site for more than 40 years.

Speaking at the scene, Mr Pepe said: "I have been coming here almost every day since 1966 and I've never seen anything like this happening before.

"I was just walking past and saw the gates open, so I thought I would come and check everything was OK. Then I saw the police.

"I'm shocked to hear that bones have been found in the soil. I would love to know how they got there."

A man in his 60s, who lives in New Road, said local people were keen for the bones to be identified quickly.

He said: "Everybody has been talking about it. There are rumours a skull was found, but it's hard to know what the truth is.

"I suppose it's possible the bones could be really old and part of some ancient burial site. If so, that would be fascinating.

"We're all hoping they have not been dumped there recently."

The allotment has been closed to the public while the police investigation is completed.