At least 277 bodies have been discovered by railway workers updating a tram line in Manchester.

The giant cemetery - believed to date from the 18th century - was found by construction workers working on the Metrolink expansion in the city centre.

Previously experts and archaeologists studying the site who had studied Manchester’s public records had expected to find fewer than 130 burials.

The unexpected discovery has pushed back the timetable for completion of the works by eleven months but Transport for Greater Manchester (TGM) said it has found savings elsewhere.

Manchester City Council spokesman, Pat Karney said the find was “the most amazing piece of history”.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “The fact that twice the number of bodies had to be taken out just shows how historically important it is - as well as explaining the complications of putting a new tram line into the city centre.”

A service to reinter the bodies is due to take place next summer after archaeological research has finished.

Bedlam excavation in pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Bedlam excavation in pictures Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Archaeologists work in the Bedlam burial ground on the future site of a Crossrail ticket hall next to Liverpool Street Station. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground The Bedlam burial ground which dates back to 1569. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Bedlam was London's first municipal burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground An archaeologist works near a skull found in the Bedlam burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Archaeologists work near skeletons of a mother and two children found in the Bedlam burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Skeletons found in the Bedlam burial ground on the future site of a Crossrail ticket hall are seen next to Liverpool Street Station in London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Skeletons of a mother and child found in the Bedlam burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground An archaeologist stacks bones in the Bedlam burial. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground An archaeologist works near skeletons found in the burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground An archaeologist works near skeletons found in the burial ground on the future site of a Crossrail ticket hall. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground Skeletons of a mother and two children found in the Bedlam burial ground. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett Bedlam excavation in pictures The Bedlam burial ground A skeleton lies in the ground on the archeological excavation site at the 16th and 17th century Bedlam burial ground. AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Transport works across the country have unearthed several burial sites - giving archaeologists a better insight into Britain’s past.

In March, 3,000 skeletons were found underneath London’s Liverpool Street station in what is believed to have been a plague pit.

Skeletons found in crypt