Volunteers sifting through donation boxes were lucky not to slice their hands open when a sharp blade was found among the money.

The Stanley Knife blade was found last night when the coins were being scooped up by hand and put into a counting machine.

It was pure luck that the blade was missed, and spotted by a volunteer before somebody else delved in with their hands.

The blade was discovered in one of the buckets from the St George's Shopping Centre stall in New Road, Gravesend.

Gravesend Poppy appeal organiser David Taylor said: "We can't ever know if this is was done deliberately or accidentally.

"It's just lucky nobody was hurt. Who walks around town with a blade in their hands, or pockets? Not the smartest of things to do.

"I hope it's a one-off."

His son, George Taylor, is also an avid helper with the Poppy Appeal and tweeted a picture of the blade.

That aside, this year is set to be more prosperous than ever, with the borough having already smashed last year's total of £42,000.

They now have £43,000, with 200 more local collection boxes still to pick up.