Stumbling across a haul of drugs on an Isle of Wight beach and then helping Border Force carry it along the sands "is something I will remember for a long time to come", a charity runner and former County Press reporter has told the CP.

Islander Kate Young found the suspicious package, which measured around 3ft long and 2ft wide, on a remote stretch of beach between Sudmoor Point and Chilton Chine on Sunday (October 8).

Initial tests show the substance is cocaine, the National Crime Agency said.

Now working for MAD-Aid, Kate was training ahead of her Saharan Ultra Challenge, which will raise money for the charity next week.

But she was soon stopped in her tracks when she noticed a rectangular object, partially buried in sand.

"I had seen the recent police Facebook post about cocaine washing up on West Wight beaches and thought this looked suspiciously like the same thing", she said.

Isle of Wight County Press: A new package has been reported to police investigating a potential major drugs haul on the Isle of

"I called the police - I could hardly hear over the noise of the waves, but they said there was a police helicopter and teams in the area and they would get someone to us as soon as possible."

The helicopter circled, she said, but the beach was a bit too small to land on.

A short time later a few police officers.

She said: "One of the police officers unwrapped a small area of cellophane, cut into the outer covering and found it was the same packaging as the other cocaine that had been found."

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As the tide was starting to rise, and the package was quite far away from Chilton Steps, the decision was made to move it.

"I asked if I could help and was amazed when they said yes", Kate said.

"It was very heavy! Carrying it between three or four of us at a time, we got it along the beach a bit further, where we were met by officers from Border Force.

"The lead Border Force officer felt that it probably weighed 50kg to 60kg and the cellophane was full of sand and water, so we were unlikely to be able to carry it up the steep cliff steps as it was."

She said the officers cut the case open and split the substance into several plastic bags.

They each carried one up the steps to the waiting police vehicles in Isle of Wight Pearl's car park.

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"I thanked the police and Border Force officers for letting me help - it was a fascinating experience, and something I will remember for a long time to come!"

Kate's unexpected find came amid an investigation into the discovery of a 'significant quantity' of suspected cocaine found elsewhere on the Island — and in Dorset.

On October 2, a fisherman found holdalls containing hundreds of kilos of powder in the sea off Dorset, at St Aldhelm’s point and Durdle Door.

A further quantity washed up on a beach on the Island on Saturday (October 7).

Yesterday (Wednesday) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it had spoken to one man who took contents from a haul, but are continuing to appeal to find a litter picker.