(Guardian) A couple in Lancashire are in negotiations with potential buyers after stumbling across a valuable piece of ambergris during a stroll on the beach.
Ambergris, sometimes known as whale vomit, is used by perfumers to make scent last longer and can fetch very high prices because of its rarity. The 1.57kg lump of the substance found by the couple could be worth around £50,000.
Gary and Angela Williams, from Overton, Lancashire, were walking along Middleton Sands beach near Morecambe Bay when they followed the smell of rotting fish to find a greyish lump slightly smaller than a rugby ball. The couple had read about ambergris in a newspaper, so wrapped it in a scarf and took it home.