THE remains of a former Methodist church have been uncovered at the site of Darwen's multi-million- pound education academy.

Archaeologists have moved into the Redearth Triangle to investigate whether a cemetery may have been attached to the chapel.

Stone-built rooms which were part of the church have been discovered in Redearth Road across from the Crown Hotel opposite Sainsbury's supermarket.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has halted works around the immediate area while a survey is carried out looking into whether people may have been buried there.

But the council said the investigations were routine' and had been incorporated into the timescale for project.

Due to a series of delays caused by problems in securing compulsory purchase orders to clear homes on the site, the cost of the academy has already risen from £34million to £49million.

The Redearth Road Primitive Methodist Church was built in the 1800s and demolished in the 1960s.

Coun David Foster, a local Methodist preacher, said: "I used to go to the chapel as a boy. It was demolished probably because of a combination of structural decline, and a falling congregation.

"There was the chapel and Sunday school and also a small burial ground.

"It was a small area and I should think there are less than 100 bodies there, but we're not quite sure exactly where the burial ground is which is why the council is being sensitive about its excavations."

Coun Tony Melia said: "They are not exhuming any bodies but investigating whether there are bodies there or not. The archaeologists are down there making sure everything is done in a proper manor.

"If there are any bodies found they will be dealt with respectfully."

Sayyed Osman, director of neighbourhoods, housing and customer services for the council, said: "As part of the planning conditions for the site, we are doing routine investigations linked to the history and archaeology of the site.

"This involves recording any historical structures found.

"To do this, we have appointed a specialist firm of archaeologists with the Darwen Academy Trust. The archaeologists will also keep an eye on the first stage of work, while the builders do earth moving and excavations."

The Academy will open at Darwen Moorland High School in September and relocate to the new purpose-built premises on completion of the building work in 2010.