The discovery of suspected human remains on a site earmarked to be the permanent home of one of Croydon’s newest primary schools, caused a brief stir on Monday.

Police were called just before 11am to remains found within a building site next door to the Lidl supermarket in London Road, Thornton Heath.

Officers attended and cordoned off the land while they carried out inquiries and the remains have been sent for examination to establish their origin.

At this early stage it is not known how old the remains are but after carrying out preliminary studies police ruled out the possibility they were human, and the site was reopened.

Construction work has not yet started on the patch of land, but it is intended to be the home of Paxton Academy, opening in September 2016.

It opened in temporary buildings at Streatham-Croydon Rugby Club in nearby Brigstock Road this term with three forms of entry, meaning 90 pupils.

By the proposed opening date of the permanent school there will be 270 pupils in the school, spread over three years.

It will reach capacity in 2020, when 630 children will be taught there.