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A lump of extremely rare WHALE VOMIT is expected to earn its lucky finder £7,000 when it is flogged at auction.

The chunk of ambergris - a waxy rock-like substance that can prolong the scent of perfume - was found washed-up on the shore at Anglesey, north Wales, earlier this year.

The dog walker is putting the foul-smelling object up for sale, in the first auction in the world of its kind.

Valuers will begin bids at an incredible £7,000.

The ambergris, that measures 8ins by 6ins and weighs 2.6lbs, could have been floating in the sea for decades before it came ashore.

Ambergris is produced in the intestines of sperm whales to protect them from the sharp beaks of squid which they eat and is passed as vomit.

The substance is used in the perfumery industry has sold for thousands of pounds privately before.

Chris Surfleet, senior valuer and auctioneer, said: "Our vendor was out walking his dog when it ran over to this object and wouldn't leave it alone.

(Image: Getty)

"The owner saw the dog was sniffing something and thought the object was far too light to be a rock or large stone and found it had a soft, soapy texture.

"He took it home, did a bit of research and suspected it was ambergris and knew it had a value so came to us.

"We are 100% certain it is ambergris.

"A number of people with experience with ambergris have studied it who have confirmed it.

"It is a bit like gold in that it comes down to the price per gram.

"There is a lot of interest in unusual items these days.

"People are interested in things which other people just don't have and a large number of collectors just want a talking point item.

"We have sold rare items of jewellery in the past but nothing as unusual as this."

It is illegal to trade in ambergris in many countries, but when it is found washed up, the discoverer can keep it.

Last year, another beachcomber in Anglesey thought he'd come across expensive ambergris - before later finding out it was just rubber, and worthless.