THE REMAINS of what could be an 18th century vicar have been unearthed after ground over a church burial site collapsed.

The tomb at the St Augustine of Canterbury church in East Hendred, near Wantage, was revealed after heavy rainfall.

The grave has remained exposed since November 7, with church-goers daring to look inside the pit able to see a skull, bones and coffin handles.

Owner of Hendred Stores Martin Johnson, a former construction worker who worked on the excavation of Oxford Castle, said: “A lot of people have gone down to see it, including children. But I have not heard of anyone being shocked or offended.

“I am intrigued and quite impressed. The brickwork is amazing considering it is so old.

“The interesting thing is you can see the skull and the skeleton and coffin handles.”

Diocese of Oxford spokesman Sarah Meyrick said: “Due to some very heavy rain last week the ground collapsed over a vault beaneath the church.

“It was a burial site and you can see a skull.”

Rector the Rev Elizabeth Birch hopes the vault will be restored and the hole filled in over the next few days.

An architect has been consulted and reported no obvious risk to the rest of the churchyard.

Ms Meyrick added: “We want to fill it in as soon as possible, as we do not want the remains to be treated with a lack of respect or for it to become a hazard.”

It is not known for sure who was buried in the vault. However, there is a plaque to a Reverend George Woodward in the bell-ringing chamber, which states he was “buried in a vault under the parsonage seat”.

Mr Woodward was rector from 1744 to 1790 and is remembered for presenting the silver pitcher that is used today for the wine at Holy Communion.

But Ms Meyrick said: “We do not know for sure whether the person buried in the uncovered vault is this priest or indeed his wife, who apparently was also buried in a vault.”

She added: “Whenever human remains are disturbed in a churchyard we have an important duty to ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and the burial place is restored appropriately to undisturbed peace.”

A book containing the vicar’s letters – A Parson in the Vale of White Horse – was published in 1982.