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This man says the King Arthur sword discovered in a Cornish lake this week is definitely not the famed Excalibur - because it is his.

Matilda Jones, seven, came across the four-foot blade in Dozmary Pool while going for a paddle on Bodmin Moor earlier this week.

Her story went around the world and has been read more than 90,000 times on Cornwall Live, as legend has it that the owner of King Arthur's sword, which carried magical powers, could only be possessed by the rightful Queen of Britain.

However Mark Wilkins, 49, says he put the sword there in the 1980s as an offering to the Celtic gods.

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"I threw it in the lake in the 1980s and wasn't expecting to see it again.

"I loved the photos. It was quite comical really because the sword is so much bigger than the little girl."

(Image: SWNS)

While Matilda's discovery marks the end of a three decade long journey, Mr Wilkins wants to share the beginning.

He said: "Back in the 80s I was very into spiritualism and followed the Celtic religion. It's well known in Celtic belief that if you want to honour the Gods you can make a sacrifice or an offering.

"I'm Cornish through and through so for me myths and legends are everything. Cornwall is steeped in legend and because of the history of Dozmary Pool and King Arthur I decided to make an offering and give the blade back.

"I didn't offer the sword for anything special, only to honour the legend."

Legend says that the lake is believed to be the spot where Sir Bedivere returned Excalibur after King Arthur was fatally wounded in the Battle of Camlann.

In fact, Wadebridge resident Mark bought the Flambard Fantasy sword as a postal order from a company called Battle Orders UK in the late 80s.

He used it in battle reenactments and as part of Heritage Day; celebrating the 16th century Prayer Book Rebellion when Bodmin's Mayor decided to raise up an army against the King.

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"It's a long sword, the kind that mercenaries would have used in olden times working for kings.

"The funniest thing is that I have people who can vouch I had the sword back then because I had a phase when I would have a few drinks and go around knighting the people of Bodmin when I lived there."

Mark says he doesn't want to steal any of Matilda's thunder, but simply offer the backstory behind her amazing discovery.

He said: "Sir Bedivere threw the sword in the lake, as did I, and now the lake has given the sword back."

(Image: SWNS)

On why the sword has only just been found after 30 years, Mark said: "The lake decided to give it to somebody worthy.

"I love the legend. I hope for her it's a magical thing and that she gets strength from it."