BUILDERS got more than they bargained for while working on a path leading up to a Trowbridge church.

Workers were relaying the path at St James Church last week when one of the stones close to the door gave way, revealing a burial vault containing human remains.

The vault is about eight foot deep and five foot wide and is the first to have been discovered at the church in around 20 years.

Canon Christopher Brown, 63, who is rector of the church and lives in Union Street, said: "Prayers were said and it was covered up again. Nothing was disturbed.

"That's important because these people are human beings and they have to be treated with respect."

Mr Brown said there were likely to be more vaults underneath the church.

He said: "There's been a church on this site since 1200. Who knows what's underneath?"