A FATHER and son duo have unexpectedly discovered a 37-year-old piece of confectionery history on a beach.

Alex Worsley, 34, of Colchester, and his son Wilbur, 5, took to West Mersea beach on Sunday to litter pick - something they like to do every few months.

During their walk at the picturesque spot the pair discovered a fully intact Mars chocolate bar wrapper from 1986.

Wilbur made the discovery whilst rooting through some seaweed after scooping up bits of plastic and rubbish which had washed up on the beach.

Gazette: Caring - Wilbur cares about the environment and will often ask his parents if they can go litter pickingCaring - Wilbur cares about the environment and will often ask his parents if they can go litter picking (Image: Alex Worsley)

Gazette: Family - Alex and WilburFamily - Alex and Wilbur (Image: Alex Worsley)

Alex said: “We got there at midday and walked up the beach for an hour.

“It was amongst all the seaweed and bits of bobs; he just noticed the wrapper fully intact and in one piece. We’ve still got it, it is amazing.

“We looked on the internet at the old Mars wrappers - I explained to him it was older than mummy and daddy. He had it with him all day.

Gazette: Old - The wrapper the pair foundOld - The wrapper the pair found (Image: Alex Worsley)

Gazette: Amazing - The wrapper is still intact after 37 yearsAmazing - The wrapper is still intact after 37 years (Image: Alex Worsley)

“He was amazed by it, he couldn’t wrap his head round the age of it.”

Despite its age, the intact wrapper still depicts the classic logo and the ‘A Mars a day helps you work, rest, and play’ tagline, which was used in a popular jingle during advertisements for the product back in the 1980s.

The chocolate bar itself is a popular main staple in the UK confectionery industry and was first invented by Forrest Mars in Slough, Berkshire, 1932.

The three main ingredients of the delicious treat are chocolate, nougat, and caramel.

According to Alex, Wilbur has always been passionate about the environment and goes on frequent littler picks with his dad whenever the weather is nice and he feels up for it.

Gazette: History - The pair plan to frame the wrapperHistory - The pair plan to frame the wrapper (Image: Alex Worsley)

“Wilbur just enjoys doing it," added proud dad Alex.

“He feels strongly about it and wants to do it, so he’ll either do it in Castle Park or other beaches - he is interested in looking after the environment.

“We’ve always hammered home about plastic and being mindful about plastic toys, and tried to steer him to things that last longer.

“He loves the beach and doesn’t like seeing plastic on them.”

Alex and Wilbur now plan to keep the wrapper and frame it as a way of commemorating the find and cementing this special father-son moment.