Archaeologists aid asylum centre search

There are 15 people missing following the fire

Archaeologists are being drafted in to sift through ash from the Yarl's Wood fire to help make sure no-one died in the riot.

There are still 15 people missing following the disturbance at the asylum seekers detention centre in Bedfordshire.

Ash from the fire has been transferred to a warehouse where the archaeology team will look for remains.

They are using equipment - described as similar to a sieve - to inspect the debris.

A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police, who are leading the investigation, said: "All the very small particles that have to be sifted through have been taken to a warehouse.

"They will be looked at by archaeologists.

Firefighters damp down at Yarl's Wood

"They are experts in finding human remains in these conditions and we are in the process of getting these experts together."

Specialist equipment to sift the ash has been brought into the warehouse, the location of which is not being revealed by police.

The spokeswoman said: "It is a bit like a sieve only bigger and better."

She said 15 people were still "unaccounted for" following the fire in February - it is still not clear whether they perished in the flames or escaped.

Investigators are expected to continue searching the centre for another six to eight weeks.

On Friday, 10 people appeared in court charged with violent disorder over the disturbance and were remanded for a second hearing later in April.

Damage put at £38m was caused by the fire.