A HISTORIAN who was instrumental in the discovery of Richard III's remains has called for him to be laid to rest with dignity.

Dr John Ashdown-Hill is the leader of genealogical research and the historical adviser for the Looking for Richard project.

However, since the exhumation in 2012, debate has raged as to where the bones should be buried.

In the meantime, Dr Ashdown-Hill, who lives in Lawford, said the bones were still in a box in an office in the university's history department.

The Looking for Richard project had won agreement the university would only hold on to the bones until the scientific research had been completed.

Medieval expert Dr Ashdown-Hill said: “I understand that has now been done and I would like him taken away from the university and put in some prayerful environment."