MYSTERY surrounds an ancient human skull found on a riverbank.

An inquest at Stourport Coroner's Court heard that the skull had been found by anglers on the banks of the River Teme, along what is known as the Heenan Froude stretch, on March 14.

The river runs along the back of the graveyard at St Edburga's Church in Leigh, which is prone to flooding.

Coroner Victor Round said there had been heavy rainfall that month and river levels were high. However, the riverbank was undisturbed, so it seemed likely that the skull was washed downstream.

Mr Round said: "The final conclusion was that it is an ancient skull, but we do not know if it was a disturbed burial or a piece of ancient malice.

"The skull itself does not bear any indications of traumatic damage and there is a graveyard nearby which has been prone to flooding, so it has to be an open verdict."