Police are continuing to investigate after a cyclist stumbled across a lethal cache of weapons - including a machine gun.

The father-of three spotted a green rucksack dumped on the pathway off Lower Rochester Road in Higham on Monday.

The married property developer, who does not wish to be named, said he opened the bag to discover the machine gun, a black handgun and more than 10 bullets.

He said: "I didn’t stop to count them. I've seen these guns in films and I knew straight away they were the real thing. They were pretty sinister looking."

The 42-year-old man, who lives in Cooling, was riding to work in Strood on his mountain bike at about 8.15 am when he came across the unmarked backpack.

"I just got the impression something nasty might have gone on here."

He immediately called police who arrived just over half an hour later.

He said: "I stayed with the bag until they got here, but left after they had taken my details because I was late for work.

"I did not check to see if they were loaded, but I was concerned that the police took them away because dog walkers and children on their bikes would be using that area later on in the day.

"I just got the impression something nasty might have gone on here.

"The officer opened it up and said 'they are for real'."

Another passer-by said 10 police cars had converged on the country lane and the bridle path was cordoned off while officers combed the area for clues.

A Kent Police spokesman said the machine gun appeared to be an old firearm and was found with cleaning equipment.

He said: "An investigation has been launched into the find and further checks are to be carried out."