Marine biologist finds empty packet of salt and vinegar Golden Wonder crisps dating back to before 1971 decimalisation on Scottish beach
- Dr Lauren Smith found the snack priced at 4d at Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire
- Dated back to before Britain adopted currency in multiples of 10 and 100 in 1971
- She found bottle of Fairy Liquid from a similar time period during the same walk
A marine biologist found an empty packet of Golden Wonder crisps dating back to before the 1971 decimalisation washed up on a Scottish beach.
Dr Lauren Smith, 37, found the salt and vinegar flavoured snack bag at Ythan Estuary, in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, while walking her dog Tattie, aged four, along the shore.
The crisp packet has survived nearly half a century in the sand and Dr Smith said it was perfectly preserved - after years of protection from direct sunlight.
Dr Smith, a marine biologist and coastal ecologist, said recent stormy weather had eroded nearby sand dunes to reveal the packet.
During the same walk she also found a bottle of Fairy Liquid, which she believes dates back to around the same time as the crisp packet.
Dr Lauren Smith, 37, found the salt and vinegar flavoured Golden Wonder packet (pictured) at Ythan Estuary, in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, while walking her dog Tattie, aged four, along the shore
Dr Smith said the packet, which was priced at 4d, is the oldest piece of litter she has ever found washed up.
The price proves the packet hails from before February 1971, when Britain adopted a currency based on simple multiples of 10 and 100.
Before the decimalisation, there were 12 pennies to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound.
Conservationist Dr Smith, from Newburgh, said: 'I found the crisp and the Fairy Liquid during the same walk, on the same day.
'They have to be as early as 1971 at least because of the price marked on them of 4d and 5d.
'The D means pence but was not marked as a "P" until after Feb 1971 when decimalisation occurred in Britain.
'I was just walking my dog along the beach and they were lying on the sand.
Pictured: Dr Smith with her dog Tattie, who located the rubbish dating back to before 1971
During the same walk Dr Smith also found a bottle of Fairy Liquid (pictured), which she believes dates back to around the same time as the crisp packet
'Big storm surges erode the surrounding dune area and reveal all sorts of rubbish that has effectively been "locked in" for years.
'When the rubbish is covered up in the sand it prevents degradation by the UV from the sunlight so colours and print can be very well preserved.'
In 2007, Dr Smith founded Saltwater Life, an environmental organisation which focuses on shark conservation.
She plans to donate the crisp packet to the Macduff Marine Aquarium in Aberdeenshire, to form part of a display on marine plastic pollution.
She said: 'Unfortunately I see litter everywhere, even in the water when scuba diving, with materials like plastic there's no such thing as just "throwing it away" it still exists.
'It breaks down into smaller pieces and permeates through each habitat and environment.
'I will donate the crisp packet to the Macduff Marine Aquarium for an informative display on plastics in the marine environment.
'The more environmental education information out there about these types of issues the better.'
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