Police are appealing for information after an old human skull was left at a church in Dorset.

The warden of Lady St Mary's Church on Church Green in Wareham found the skull at midday on July 11.

It had been carefully wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a bag before being deposited outside one of the church doors.

Detective Constable Michelle Lawrence, of Dorset Police, said the skull could have been at the church for more than 24 hours before being discovered.

"The skull appears to be very old and we are not treating this incident as suspicious at this time," she said.

"We simply would like to identify where the skull originated from and to clarify in what circumstances it was found.

"Some houses near to church were built on parts of the old cemetery nearly 100 years ago and it is feasible that the skull may have been dug up in someone's garden. The person who found it may have wanted to do the right thing and left it at the church.

"I urge anyone who has any information about this to contact the police - we would just like to ascertain exactly what has happened."

Anyone with information about the skull is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101.

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