TIMBER from the wrecked ship Ice Prince has now made it as far as the south-east Kent coast.

The Greek-registered ship sank with no loss of life last week and a mass of its timber cargo washed up in Sussex.

However, the prevailing winds and currents have since carried it towards the North Sea and it was spotted off Dungeness on Tuesday.

Much of it passed by but planks have been turning up along the bay and near the Coastal Park at the foot of the Leas at Folkestone.

It is thought that the timber washed up in Sussex will be sold off by Worthing Council, but scavenging it from Folkestone’s shores would still be illegal under the Merchant Shipping Act.

The planks are of Scandinavian wood but it is untreated, so will be in bad shape after its immersion in the salty sea.

There is still more than 2,000 tonnes of its cargo still trapped below the waves, but it is not thought to be in danger of breaking free and floating to the surface.

The Ice Prince had been heading for Egypt when its cargo shifted in heavy seas, sending it to the bottom off Portland Bill.