A newspaper reporter has appeared on television after getting involved in a story about a spoof “runic stone” discovered on the beach.

Amy Lyall was the journalist who covered the original story about the discovery in 2003, which saw several experts give their opinion on a large boulder from Gorleston beach inscribed with mysterious markings.

It was believed the stone had been on the beach for decades and it was removed for archaeologists to examine.

The stone weighed in at around two tons and had markings resembling runic letters and two intertwined serpents carved on it.

After several stories in the Archant title and several opinions on the “artefact”, it emerged that the carved stone was an elaborate spoof, created less than a decade ago by local artist Barry Luxton.

He came forward after reading the story to reveal that he carved the markings over three days for a personal project.

He said: “I had been to Scotland and seen a lot of runic stones there so I decided to carve similar patterns into a stone on the beach.

“The idea was to get a group of people to take the stone up to Hopton for a May Day celebration where the sun could touch it but it did not get that far.”

Great Yarmouth Mercury reporter Amy was interviewed by the Discovery Channel for a show including reconstructions about the saga.

She said: “I was really pleased to be approached to take part in the programme – it was a bit of a surprise, but I remembered this story as one which had been interesting and fun to do.

“It felt very strange to have someone else interviewing me, as normally I ask the questions.”