A self-styled Druid king has lost a legal bid to reclaim remains which had been dug up at the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge.

Justice Wyn Williams ruled Tuesday that the Rev. King Arthur Uther Pendragon, who claims the title of chief of the Loyal Arthurian Warband Druid order, would not be allowed to pursue his case against Britain's Ministry of Justice.

The ministry has allowed researchers from Sheffield University to keep the 5,000-year-old cremated remains of more than 40 bodies until 2015.

King Arthur is a 57-year-old military veteran who had his name legally changed. He dressed in white druid robes and represented himself in court.

He says he fears the remains will never be returned.