Superstitious locals dug up skeletons to scrub them clean in a bizarre ritual at a cemtery in Thailand.

Footage shows the residents wearing matching shirts while sweeping soil off the bones using toothbrushes in Prachin Buri province on March 25.

They laid large sheets of paper on the ground to place each piece they found as they happily listened to lively band music playing on a sound system.

Sumanut Nounoon, who joined the activity, said: ‘We see the event as doing a good deed. We wanted to help maintain the cemetery and keep it in good condition.

‘We also believe keeping the place clean will keep the spirits happy.'

Buddhist devotees believe that cleaning the skeletons of the dead is a good deed that will bring them good luck in this life - and the next.