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The remains of one of Napoleon's favourite generals have been returned to France, two years after they were discovered in western Russia.

The one-legged skeleton of Charles-tienne Gudin was found in a park under the foundations of a dance floor. His identity was confirmed by DNA.

Gudin, aged 44, was hit by a cannonball near the city of Smolensk during the French invasion of Russia in 1812.

He had to have his leg amputated and died of gangrene three days later.

His heart was taken back to France to be buried.

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Although Napoleon's Grande Arme (Great Army) of 400,000 men had rapidly advanced in Russia and captured Moscow, it was forced to retreat during the harsh winter.

Earlier this year, the bodies of 120 French and Russian soldiers, three women and three teenage boys who died during the French withdrawal from Moscow were buried in a ceremony in western Russia.

The three women are thought to have provided food and first aid for the troops, while the boys served as drummers.

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