Mysterious seeds sent from China which have been delivered across the world have arrived in North Ayrshire.

Hundreds of unsuspecting people have received the unsolicited packets of seeds along with Dodie Burns who had them posted to him on Arran.

He said: “[I] got these seeds through the door from China, I never ordered them or asked for them.

“There was a warning against them in the news now they’re coming to Arran. I just binned these ones.”

But Dodie was told to retrieve the seeds from his bin for fear they would end up sprouting in a landfill site.

Originally thought to be a ‘brushing’ scam – to gain positive reviews of the seeds – there is mounting concern that they could be non-native species, carrying pests and diseases.

But others have already planted the seeds to see what would grow.

One resident said: “Some arrived at mine, I planted them in a nearby field, no problems yet.”

National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS) chair of horticulture said: “Scotland has an enviable reputation for producing high health, hardy plants - whether that be trees, nursery stock, cereals, oilseeds, soft fruit, bulbs, vegetables or potatoes.

“The arrival of seeds of unknown quality or health places that at risk and I urge anyone who receives these unsolicited parcels to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”

People are also being advised not to handle the seeds as they may have been treated with harmful pesticides. Instead they should be left in their packaging.

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) is collecting the unsolicited packets of seeds for analysis. Email your details and a postal address to info@sasa.gov.scot, and you will be sent a pre-paid self-addressed envelope and zip-lock bag.