The body of a little girl found beneath Eastbrook Hall by workmen will be re-buried in consecrated land.

The remains of the brunette youngster, aged between about four and six, were found in a tiny coffin with a plaque dated 1849, but there was no sign of her name.

The construction staff who found the coffin have christened her Sharada - Indian for beautiful river. They spoke today of their relief she will receive a proper reburial.

Yesterday, police were also called to the discovery of remains believed to be of a man found in the same area, thought once to be a burial ground. The land housed a chapel in Victorian times.

A police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of the child but could not yet comment on the new find.

Quantity surveyor, Rob Steward, said: "The little girl is going to be buried in a nearby cemetery. It was a very touching find.

"The coffin was about four metres deep into the ground and intact. But the one containing the man had collapsed and was full of mud."

The landmark building, which is being redeveloped into apartments, was built in 1904 and is one of the largest and most distinctive buildings in Little Germany.

It was known as the Methodist Cathedral of the north when it opened in 1904. It closed in 1986, facing massive repair bills for dry rot.

It was bought by Aldersgate Estates in 1997 and the company is now restoring it in partnership with Bradford Centre Regeneration, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships.

Already half of the 68 apartments have been snapped up by investors before being marketed.