Skull found on fishing trip

The skull was found in the nets

A trawler fishing in the North Sea has discovered what appears to be part of a human skull in its nets, police have confirmed.

The grim find was made when the vessel, Bonaventure, had been fishing 100 miles east of North Shields.

Its skipper made radio contact with police and the skull was handed over when the trawler docked at Eyemouth on Sunday.

A Lothian and Borders police spokesman said a pathologist would examine the remains to establish whether they are human.

'Busy shipping lane'

"Two trawlers were fishing together 130 miles east of Eyemouth, Berwickshire, when the Bonadventure discovered what appears to be a human skull," he said.

"It was then handed over to the police at Eyemouth and a statement was taken from the skipper.

"The skull is being retained and protected until it can be examined."

"The area where it was found is a busy shipping lane with ferries travelling from Denmark to North Shields. Inquiries are continuing."