Police who stopped a car were staggered to find one of its occupants carrying a massive sword.

Officers made the startling discovery after flagging down an oncoming car in Tenterden last night.

After searching its four occupants, the officers found the Ninjato in the car.

The lengthy sword is similar in look to the famed Katana reportedly used by Samauri in feudal Japan, but with a straight blade rather than curved.

The average length of a Ninjato is roughly 19 inches, or 48cm.

Police confirmed that the sword had been seized and will be destroyed.

The officers also issued four fines to the car's occupants for Covid-19 breaches, as well as two cannabis warnings.

A police spokesman said: "At around 8.20pm yesterday1, officers on patrol in Tenterden spoke to the occupants of a car near Recreation Ground Road.

"The vehicle's four occupants were found to be from separate households and were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching Government rules to stop the spread of Covid-19.

"Two of those in the car were also issued with warnings for possession of small amounts of cannabis.

"An ornamental samurai sword which was found in the boot of the vehicle was also seized."

Read more: All the latest news from Tenterden