BANBURY: A lost battlefield from the Wars of the Roses has been discovered on the planned route of HS2, the London-to-Birmingham high speed rail link which could go through part of north-east Oxfordshire.

The site of the Battle of Edgecote, fought on July 26, 1469, is six miles north of Banbury and will now be given listed status by English Heritage.

That will not give it statutory protection from development but the status will have to be considered in the planning process.