Police were called when a body was unearthed in the centre of West Malling.

Officers raced to Mill Yard, a stone’s throw from the town centre, after receiving a tip-off.

But despite rumours it had been recently buried, they were quick to establish the skeleton – discovered as part of an archaeological dig – was likely to be ancient.

Dr Paul Wilkinson, of SWAT Archaeology, said: “I hear that a member of the public called the police and said they thought a murder victim had been found in West Malling.

“The police turned up, including a DCI and a scenes of crime officer, but they were quickly able to establish that they were not fresh bones.”

He believes the skeleton might date from the late 16th century.

A sample has been sent for carbon dating and the firm has applied for a burial licence to remove the body and have it re-buried. However, the body is still causing controversy as it was not found inside the walls of St Mary’s Abbey.

Vice-chairman of the Malling Society Mike North said: “It is not normally where one would expect to find any burials.

“It is 50 yards west of the Abbey gatehouse so cannot actually be connected to the Abbey.

“Why there should be a burial there at all remains a mystery.”

The dig, which was part of preparations for a small development of homes to be built, uncovered an arm. The rest of the skeleton remains in situ.

Dr Wilkinson said: “We have found items of medieval pottery too, which is good news for the town.”

A police spokesman said: “We did attend to investigate but there is no investigation into this.”