An historian has asked the Queen to return a collection of saints body parts he says were looted from Lincoln cathedral nearly 500 years ago.

Paul Cantrell, 60, believes the relics were seized from Lincoln Cathedral on the orders of King Henry VIII and then taken to the Tower of London.

He has now written to Buckingham Palace asking for the historic items to be returned.

But Mr Cantrell has requested the Queen make a donation to the cathedral if this is not possible.

The Queen enjoys a visit to Lincoln

Among the treasures taken were the head of St Hugh, the first saint of Lincoln, a finger of St Catherine, a tooth of St Paul and a bone of St Stephen.

Mr Cantrell, who lives in Lincoln, said the artefacts could have generated millions in income had they been left in the cathedral.

Most visitors to Lincoln Cathedral have to pay a �3.50 entrance fee.

He said: "It is quite a serious thing. We want these treasures back.

"I am doing this on behalf of the residents as these are things they could show to their children and grandchildren."

Traitor's Gate is one of the Tower's famous sights

Mr Cantrell says in his letter: "The writer of this letter understands if you should regard this appeal as gross impertinence for loyal subjects to make of their sovereign Queen.

"But I would like to suggest that you may regard this as a way to draw a line under this unfortunate act of Royal acquisition and sacrilege against Lincoln Cathedral.

"This city has been held in some esteem by most heads of the Royal family since the time of the Norman Conquest."

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "Certainly we don't discuss any individual correspondence which is received by the Queen.

"However all correspondence addressed to the Queen is treated in a serious manner and will receive a response from Buckingham Palace."