Archaeologists have found two bodies dating back to the Bronze Age buried beneath the playground of a primary school.

The prehistoric discovery at Victoria Primary School in Edinburgh came during a routine site survey to extend the school.

The remains, said to be in "pretty good condition", have given experts hope that there may be more ancient burial sites nearby.

John Lawson, archaeology officer at Edinburgh council, said: "It was completely unexpected to find them in that location. This is the very start of something. It's an initial discovery and further excavations will provide us with answers on who they are.

"They have not been fully excavated, but the style of burial is common for the Bronze Age. The adults are in a foetal position with their knees up against their chest - it's a definite style which is very indicative of a prehistoric burial."

The excavations are at an early stage but experts think the bodies may be dated "between 200 and 300 years either side of 2000BC".

It is too early to say how the individuals died, but work will continue to examine their remains and the three ft-long pits in which they were found along with shards of pottery.

Staff and pupils at Victoria Primary, which is the oldest working school in Edinburgh, have not been able to reclaim their playground. But they are trying to make use of the burial by including the historic find into school lessons.

Headteacher Laura Thomson said: "When I told the children, they were really quite excited that this was happening on our doorstep."