Scientists at Bradford University hope to carry out DNA tests on 1,000-year-old bones to trace modern day descendants.

The skeletons of 14 Anglo Saxons - dating from the 7th to 10th centuries - were unearthed by archaeologists near St Peter's Church, Addingham.

The finds have been hailed as being of national importance and the church is trying to raise funds to pay for the Bradford University scientists to carry out the highly-experimental DNA tests.

If successful it could mean Addingham villagers could be asked to give DNA samples to see if they are related to the ancient settlers.

The latest discovery follows an excavation on the church site in 1990 when 80 bodies where found in 55 graves created between the eighth and tenth centuries. The 14 skeletons were unearthed during a second dig which was carried out while an extension was being built.

Archaeologists also believe they will provide vital information about communities from Anglo-Saxon times.

Addingham is the earliest documented settlement in the Bradford district and records show that Archbishop Wulfhere fled to the settlement in 867 to escape Viking attacks on York.

The church is medieval but the burial ground was previously in an oval-shape, suggesting an earlier origin.

But the latest dig led by West Yorkshire Archaeology Service suggests the 14 bodies had received Christian burials. They included the skeleton of a child and one with a spinal condition which may indicate tuberculosis.

Ian Hepworth, treasurer of St Peter's, said: "We are obviously very excited. The archaeologists believe it is a Christian burial site going back to over 1,300 years. It was very unusual in the dark ages to have such a strong community.

"We are looking forward to finding out more. But we would like to get funding if possible to see if any DNA tests could be taken."

The university tests are being carried out under the terms of a Home Office licence. The bodies will then be reburied in consecrated ground.

Stuart Wrathmell, operations manager of West Yorkshire Archaeology Service, said: "It is an exciting find. We are looking forward to the results."

Anthea Boylston, human osteoarchaeological expert at the university, said they hoped to tell the sex and age of the skeletons and the bones and teeth may indicate the history of disease at that time. But she stressed that the DNA testing on ancient bones was highly experimental.

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