Scientists plan to exhume the body of an aristocrat who died nearly 90 years ago from one of the world's deadliest viruses.

Landowner and politician Sir Mark Sykes died in France in 1919 of the Spanish Flu.

Professor John Oxford, one of the world's top virologists, believes he was buried in a lead coffin which could have preserved the virus.

Christopher Simon Sykes, an author, said: "We all agreed it is a very good thing and it should go ahead. It's rather fascinating that maybe even as a corpse he may be helping others as it were."

Experts believe Sir Mark's remains will help them piece together the DNA of the final stages of the pandemic flu - which could help prevent a modern pandemic.

/ananova.com/