Waste workers were left stunned when they discovered two urns containing human ashes among a delivery of rubbish. 

The two unassuming brown plastic containers even had stickers displaying the names of the deceased and their funeral dates. 

But the fate of William Hunter and Mary Allan Hunter has only been revealed thanks to recycling plant workers who spotted the urns on a conveyor belt. 

They were pulled out by the yard superintendent Kenny Macintyre during a process which is normally reserved for grabbing large pieces of wood stuck in the picking line. 

Had they not been spotted, they would have been emptied and crushed. 

Not much is known about the pair except that William was cremated at Daldowie Crematorium, near Glasgow, in March 1997. 

And Mary's funeral was at Holytown Crematorium, North Lanarkshire, in September of 2006. 

Bosses at Newtown Waste Solutions in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, are now appealing for help to track down the relatives of the deceased. 

Kenny Macintyre said: "It was a surprise. We get some strange things in skips, but this is the strangest yet." 

It is understood the urns were in a container delivered to the depot by a company involved in a house clearing. 

But it is not known where the house was or who the occupant was. 

Curious bosses at the waste processing plant want any friends or family members to come forward with information about the pair. 

Director Martin McLinden has never seen anything like this in his 10 years working in waste solution. 

He said: "Sometimes we find old photos in amongst the rubbish and it makes me sad because it's someone's history that's been thrown away. This is similar. 

"It's piqued everyone's interest here. I'm very curious to know more about them. I think that they were a husband and wife but it's also possible they were siblings. 

"We're relieved that we caught it when we did because if we hadn't then there's every chance that the urns would now be in a landfill somewhere. 

"In a way, it's nice that they've stuck together and if no one comes forward then we'd like to give them a dignified send-off. 

"We're desperate to know more about them if possible." 

Fellow director Billy Neilson said: "If it wasn't for the notes stuck on the urns we wouldn't have known what was inside. 

"It's not a nice way to end up - in a recycling yard - so if there are any relatives of the Hunters out there we would be quite happy to give the ashes to them."