It is not just sniffer dogs who find drugs, as a woman discovered this week while taking a stroll along the beach with her canine companion.

The 44-year-old, who asked not to be named, was walking her dog on Winsor Beach in Tucker's Town at 3 p.m. on Wednesday when she spotted a large package in the sand.

The clear plastic square bundle was wrapped in an outer layer of brown packing tape, but was ripped open at one end and what she said looked like marijuana had tumbled out on to the sand.

“It is not the sort of thing you expect to see when you are walking on a beach in Bermuda,” she told The Royal Gazette.

“It looks like someone had got their before me, because the package was ripped open at one end and some of the marijuana had spilled out.

“It looked wet and it certainly smelled damp.”

The woman returned home and called in Police whom she then directed to the 18-inch square package.

A Police spokesman confirmed that a suspicious package had been recovered and said the Narcotics Department was investigating the find.

He would not confirm whether the package contained drugs.

Appeal to help children of inmates

Prison Fellowship Bermuda has again launched its Christmas Angel Tree Appeal to help children of those locked up during the festive season.

“Prison inmates who are mothers and fathers are often helpless at this time of year which is highlighted by family gatherings and being together,” said chairman Jack Harris.

“None have the mobility to provide greetings for their children and few have money to buy gifts.

“We realise that some inmates have committed serious crimes, but we believe that their children still want to see them as loving parents.

“It is always a great feeling to watch a child open a gift especially from an absent parent, even more so when it is a surprise.

“But the true value of Angel Tree is the bond established between parent and child.

“We urgently seek assistance as we normally have over 100 children to provide for.

“The Fellowship is looking for assistance and financial support to provide appropriate gifts for these disadvantaged children.”

The Prison Fellowship circulates forms to inmates, with information about the children's ages, sex, sizes and Christmas wishes.

Volunteers, who also do the shopping, ensure the gifts go directly to the children along with personal Christmas cards from the parents.

For more information contact Carol Armstrong on 236-7100 or 292-7089.

St. David's brush fire

Firemen dealt with a brush blaze at Oswego Island in St. David's, opposite the Black Horse Tavern.

Bermuda Fire Service spokesman Lt. Dana Lovell blamed the fire on controlled burning that had got out of hand.

Cop escapes injury

A Police motorcyclist escaped injury after being involved in a collision with a car on East Broadway last night.

Police blocked off traffic coming into Hamilton just after 8 p.m. following the accident which happened near the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute building.

The Police motorcycle was seen on its side and a nearby car had a damaged bumper.

Police said last night that the officer did not suffer any injuries in the incident.