Folkestone: The Goldrush Is On!

A German artist has sparked an unlikely gold rush by burying thousands of pounds worth of the precious metal on a Kent beach as part of an arts festival.

Berlin-based Michael Sailstorfer has hidden 30 bars of 24-carat gold, worth £10,000, under the sand of the Outer Harbour beach in Folkestone as part of the town's triennial.

Fortune hunters are being encouraged to search the beach after low tide and will be able to keep any gold they find.

The project, called Folkestone Digs, is part of the town's triennial which happens every three years and has previously included work by artists including Tracey Emin, Jeremy Deller and Martin Creed.

Artists including Yoko One are taking part in this year's festival which runs from August 30 to November 2.

Heart's Charlotte Wright went to the beach and said by 5pm on Thursday, there were hundreds of families there. Some had even bought new spades especially. One or two had turned up with metal detectors but organisers say they have also buried some washers to make life more difficult for those with technology