When police received a call from a dog walker on Tuesday saying she had spotted a human toe buried in a muddy field, the large-scale response included officers and specialist dog teams.
What they found was a pota-toe.
Units were rushed to the scene in Winlaton, Gateshead, after the woman sent Northumbria Police a picture of the suspected body part half covered in mud.
But after much searching the suspected limb was identified as nothing more gruesome than a spud.
Inspector Phil Hamlani form the force said: “The search team did have a chuckle when they realised it was a potato but the call was made in good faith and we can only praise the vigilance of the woman who made the call.”
He added that the report had been made in good faith and he encouraged others to report anything similarly suspicious - even if it did turn out to be a vegetable.
He said: "The person who called this in was very concerned, and in the picture she sent to us the object did look like it could be human remains.
"It was already dark by the time we got a call and so we had to deploy search teams to track down the scene to rule out any foul play….
“If anyone does come across suspected human remains, please do the same and give us a call.
"If it does turn out to be a vegetable, our police dogs will thank you for the treat!"
