THE discovery of the ancient coffin of a baby halted work this week on the multi-million pound reconstruction of a new Runcorn bus station.

Contractors came across the tiny coffin, bearing the name of 15-month-old Peter Stretch, who died in 1869, at 8.30am on Tuesday morning.

They were preparing to lay the foundations of a new road when they uncovered the grave.

Tarpaulin was draped round the site as arrangements were being made for the baby to be moved for re-burial in Runcorn cemetery.

The land used to be a sacred burial ground beside the former St Paul's Church.

A spokesman for Halton Council said: "We can confirm that work was stopped temporarily on the bus interchange as a small coffin has been discovered dating back to 1869.

"The land had previously been developed by Runcorn Development Corporation at which time a number of coffins had been removed.

"We understand it was decommissioned as a graveyard in the 1970s.

"This afternoon (Tuesday) the coffin will be removed by an undertaker and cemetery staff and will be taken to the undertakers while arrangements are made for re-burial at Runcorn cemetery."

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