THE gruesome discovery of animal bones and a carcass in a children's play area is mystifying residents of a Kent village.

The bones including large collar and thigh bones and what is thought to be an entire sheep carcass and head, have been found on six separate occasions at the Vicarage Lane recreation ground in East Farleigh near Maidstone.

There have so far been six incidents in the same area and the finds have now been reported to the Environmental Health Department of Maidstone council.

East Farleigh parish councillor, Gene Adams and her husband, Walter Adams, who is an ex farmer, discovered what they believe to be the remains of a sheep.

Councillor Adams said: "We found the black plastic sack which had what looked like a dead sheep inside. My husband said there were other bones as well but I didn't look, I saw the head and that was enough for me.

"They were not dry bones. They still had bits of flesh attached. There have been numerous separate incidents over a period of six weeks. The last incident happened at the beginning of November.

"Councillor Pam Clarke and myself do checks once a week on Fridays. Luckily we haven't found anything for the last couple of weeks. Hopefully that's the end of it but it's still a mystery.

"It started when my grandson came and told me he had tripped over a bone when he was playing there at the beginning of October."

All six finds have been on the same piece of land which is situated behind East Farleigh primary school and is surrounded by farmland.

Maidstone council's environmental health manager, Graham Steady, said: "Up until now we have been treating it as a fly tipping problem but the last incident was the last straw.

He added that although the bones had been disposed of, any more finds would be photographed on site for evidence.

He stressed: "We would like to advise any children or adults that although the chances of picking up diseases are not high, it is best not to touch or remove any bones if they are found in the future.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone the council on 01622 602162.