Armed police were called after a 12-year-old boy found a gun dumped in a popular park as he played cops and robbers.

Officers were scrambled to Gillingham Park following the shock discovery of the weapon, which was wrapped in a cloth and is believed to be a blank-firing starting pistol.

An area was cordoned off by officers after Finley found the gun near Oxford Road at shortly after 4pm on Saturday,

He told KentOnline how he had been playing cops and robbers in a wooded area of the park.

"When I walked by a wall, I saw a gun on the floor," he said. "It was wrapped in a white cloth.

"I was pretty shocked. At first I thought it could be an airsoft gun but when I looked closely it was shiny - airsoft guns are plastic and it looked metal."

Finley told how the park was busy at the time, with families basking in the warm weather.

The youngster's dad, who did not wish to be named, told how Finley sent his younger brother to tell his mum about the discovery.

"She was originally quite dismissive that he had found one and thought it must be a BB gun," he said.

He told how it was found near a wall which adjoins the Parklands Resource Centre in Oxford Road and the gardens of homes.

"As Gillingham residents and having lived here all my life, things have changed," the dad added.

"When I was 12 years old and if I had found a gun, you would never have thought it would be real.

"But in today’s world, you think there is more chance of it being real than not."

Police confirmed they were called at around 4.15pm on Saturday following the discovery of a firearm at Gillingham Park.

A statement added: "Officers attended and seized the item, which is believed to be a blank-firing starting pistol.

"Enquiries are ongoing."