Dogwalker who found 'whale vomit worth £100k' discovers it's worthless

Ken Wilman's dreams of riches are ruined after an expert says the large smelly rock he found on walking along Morecambe beach isn't prized ambergris

Ken Wilman was stunned to learn that the unusual  stone  his dog uncovered on Morecambe beach is believed to be a piece of rare and valuable whale vomit: Rare 'whale vomit' found on beach
Ken Wilman was stunned to learn that the unusual stone his dog uncovered on Morecambe beach is believed to be a piece of rare and valuable whale vomit Credit: Photo: MEN

A dog walker who thought he had struck gold for two years after finding a large lump of smelly whale vomit has been told it is just a worthless rock.

Ken Wilman was walking along Morecambe beach in northern England when his dog, Madge, discovered the large, hard smelly rock.

A French dealer then offered Mr Wilman, who is unemployed after hurting his back in a motorbike accident, 50,000 euros if the 3kg lump turned out to be sperm whale vomit, or ambergris.

But Mr Wilman's dreams were ruined after an expert informed him the rock has no value.

"If I had my time over again, I would kick the rock to one side and walk away," Mr Wilman told the Mirror. "I wish I'd never found it.

"I've got to accept what happened and get on with it."

Ambergris has a peculiar smell which has been used in scents like Chanel No.5.

Sperm whales eject it into the sea when they have a stomach or throat problem.

It can float around undiscovered for years in the water, where it hardens and develops its distinctive odour.

In 2006, a couple walking on the beach in Australia found a 32-pound chunk of ambergris, which netted them £186,500.