Marion Mcginn, 27, was walking on Irvine Beach, North Ayrshire, when she spotted a man who appeared to have a gun strapped to his back.

She feared it was a firearm and felt she had to report it.

But later police came to her house in Troon, North Ayrshire, to say it was just a brolly.

Marion Mcginn, 27, was walking on Irvine Beach, North Ayrshire, when she spotted a man who appeared to have a gun strapped to his back.

Marion said: "I was scared and I was in shock but I knew I had to do the right thing."

She contacted the Coastguard, who were shocked at the report and notified the police, and Marion believes a chopper was sent to scope out the sighting.

Marion said: "I felt like a dafty but the police told me I did the right thing.

"They didn't understand why no one else phoned in as there was about 300 plus on the beach.

"They told him never to bring it out in public again or he'll be in big trouble."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Around 3.20pm on Saturday, August 22, 2020, police received reports of a man in possession of a firearm in Beach Drive, Irvine.

"The item turned out to be an umbrella.

"Advice and assistance was given."

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Police swoop on man believed to be carrying gun on Scottish beach - but find it's an umbrella