A FORENSIC team is digging at the site of “Brighton’s ugliest building” to investigate a claim that a human skeleton was at the site.

Police say a person has come forward claiming the bones were present at Anston House in Preston Road when it was built in the 1960s.

Work started in March to finally demolish the block, which had been abandoned for more than 30 years.

Demolition of Brightons ugliest building, Anston House in Preston Road, started in March

Demolition of 'Brighton's ugliest building', Anston House in Preston Road, started in March

Residents dubbed the building Brighton's ugliest due to the amount of waste dumped in its forecourt and its graffiti covered walls.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “We are carrying out a planned excavation at Anston House, Preston Road, Brighton as part of an investigation into a historic claim that part of a human skeleton was present at the site when the building was erected in the 1960s.

“Officers will attend to determine whether there are remains there, and if so, will work with specialists to analyse the bones to determine their age and whether there are any suspicious circumstances.”

Pictures from the scene show forensic investigators using a digger to unearth the foundations of the building.

Digging at Anston House in Brighton

Digging at Anston House in Brighton

The spokeswoman added: “Following the police excavation, there is a planned archaeological dig at the site and members of the public will not have access for a number of days.

“Thank you to the public for their patience and understanding while this work is being carried out.”

Residents filming the old office tower being torn down earlier this year said everyone was “really happy to see the back” of the building.

First Base and Hyde Housing Group are redeveloping the site into 229 new homes across three tower blocks.

Of the new flats, 30 will be classed as affordable one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes, and there will also be a communal work space on the ground floor, and landscaped areas with new trees.

Brighton architects Conran and Partners, who have designed the new blocks of flats, said the development "will provide much needed new, contemporary homes and work space within the city".