The custodian of the Bard's bones has poured cold water on plans by a US academic to exhume his body to discover if he was murdered.

Rev Martin Gorick, from the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon where William Shakespeare is buried, said nobody had asked to exhume his body and, if they had, they would have been refused.

According to reports, Professor James Starrs, a forensic expert from George Washington University, has expressed an interest in digging up Shakespeare's body to discover if he was murdered by his son-in-law.

The professor, who has been dubbed "the father of Indiana Jones", said: "Shakespeare has made it clear that there is no justification for removing his bones.

"However, there is some consideration of foul play and the possibility that we could positively identify his body."

By law, permission to exhume the body must come from a member of his family and, as there are no known living relatives, the decision then rests with Rev Gorick, as vicar, and the Parochial Church Council.

Rev Gorick said: "We have not been approached directly so nothing may come of it and it has never come up during my time here at the church.

"Shakespeare's body is buried in a fabulous part of the church and it is of worldwide historical interest.

"Like anybody, I am interested to know exactly what is buried there. I suspect there is a family vault so I would be intrigued to know what is under ground but I would not like to disturb any remains."

Above the crypt is the inscription: "Blest be the man that spares these stones. And curst be he that moves my bones."