A treasure hunt with a difference is on after the sea stole a piece of artwork – and now it's finders keepers.

Tessa Collett and Ady Barker, owners of the gallery and shop Glazed Expression in Meneage Street, Helston, had been at Porthleven Beach yesterday evening taking promotional shots of a pair of new ceramic pieces when disaster struck.

A larger than expected wave broke and came rolling in towards the photoshoot.

While Tessa ran to avoid getting wet, the wave claimed the terracotta platter for its own and took it into the sea.

Now the couple say that if anyone finds the piece of artwork while they are out on their daily exercise then they are welcome to keep it, as a gift from them and the sea.

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Tessa said: "We went to Porthleven to take some pictures for a social media post – beautiful Ady Barker platters.

"Just after this photo was taken a huge wave rolled in. I ran to avoid getting wet and the sea stole the platter – it’s gone, into the sea.

"I’m in shock, whilst Ady is as cool as a cucumber.

"The Merfolk (non gender specific mermaids) obviously liked the lost of it and decided they wanted it."

Promotional shots were being taken before a wave took it Picture: Glazed Expression

Promotional shots were being taken before a wave took it Picture: Glazed Expression

Although people are not being encouraged to break lockdown to go and look for it, if anyone from Porthleven does spot the piece washed up then they are free to take it home with them.

"If Porthleven folk find it as the tide retreats please consider it a gift from us and the sea," added Tessa. "It's finders keepers; whatever the sea decides to do with it."

The platter was thrown ceramic made from terracotta earthenware clay, with Hakeme slip work, fired with clear glaze and embellished with 24 carat gold lustre.

The 30cm diameter platter is worth £50 and has a partner that fortunately didn't get stolen.