The licence needed to begin the search for the remains of King Harold has been approved.

The search, which will be documented by the team behind the discovery of Richard III’s remains in 2012, was planned to launch on September 2. However, it was twice rescheduled due to a delay in securing a licence. 

Oval Films will meet with Stratascan, the largest provider of archaeological geophysics in the UK, next month to determine a new date for the initial ground scan.

The search hopes to find the remains of King Harold, in the Abbey Gardens in Waltham Abbey, in line with theories he was given a formal funeral at the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence years after his death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

The search is being sponsored by author Peter Burke, who has written two historical novels and has different theories about Harold II’s death.

He said: “I am convinced Harold survived the Battle of Hastings.

“If we find the complete remains of an old man in his late 70s with scarring to his temple from a battle wound then we need to do a DNA test.

“Our understanding of this particular period of English history would have to change.”