Police sealed of an area in Whitstable after a hand grenade was reportedly found near the railway station.

The explosive is said to have been unearthed at a building site this morning.

It has since emerged contractors panicked and flung the device onto the nearby railway line.

Teynham Road and Station Road were taped off.

A bomb disposal team from the Ministry of Defence was also called.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to Whitstable station following reports of a suspected explosive item being found on the rail track.

"The call came into police at 8.25am.

"Officers are on the scene alongside colleagues from officers from Kent Police working to identify the item.

"The area is currently cordoned off."

The station remains open and trains are said to be running normally.