A ROSARY created by a respected Lawford historian has been blessed and will be buried with the remains of Richard III.

Dr John Ashdown-Hill’s research was vital in confirming the identity of bones found under a council car park to be those of the much-maligned king.

Now the medieval expert, of Lawford, has created a rosary which has been blessed at Clare Priory, next door to Clare Castle, where Richard’s mother lived.

The bespoke rosary will be placed in Richard’s coffin when the king is buried in Leicester Cathedral in March.

A week of services are being held to reinter the king’s remains after they were discovered under a car park in February 2013.

The Royal family is due to be represented at the main ceremony on March 26, which is due to have the character of a state funeral. Dr Ashdown-Hill also hopes to attend.