A volunteer litter picker was left shocked after he discovered a 28-inch zombie knife near a children's playground.

The 57-year-old – who asked to remain anonymous – found the serrated blade tucked behind trees in the car park at The Strand Green Space in Gillingham.

He said: "I am surprised if the police see something like that everyday. It was like something you would see on Gladiators.

"It is horrific. That is by far the worst we have found. It is getting a bit lawless.

"It was there for some sort of use. If you go over the wall it is a kids' playground. God forbid if someone was to pick it up.

"It is getting a bit close to home. When I saw that, I thought this is getting serious."

This is the group's third knife discovery over the last few months with the other two being 12-inch kitchen blades.

The volunteer from The Strand Litter Squad said the amount of drug paraphernalia they uncover is also becoming a lot more prevalent.

He added: "It is just a bit crazy. I did not have to look very hard to find it. If the kids are out playing or their ball goes over the wall, it does not bear thinking about.

"I was pretty shocked. It was fresh, it had not been used.

"I would love for my son to go down there and play with his friends but that worries me."

The zombie blade was found on one of the group's weekly litter picks despite it being illegal to own this type of weapon in public and private.

The dad called Kent Police and a PCSO was sent to his house to collect the item.

This is not the first find of its kind in the Medway Towns. Three weeks ago a hunting knife was found lying in the street, just yards away from a primary school.

The weapon was in the middle of Edwin Road in Rainham which is close to several primary and secondary schools and less than 200 yards from Bryony independent school and nursery.

The black knife, which had a 20cm blade with a serrated edge, was discovered at about 3pm, just before the busy school-run.