One of the world’s oldest pastimes has rolled out of the caves for a resurgence as Rhyl’s latest craze.

Children and adults alike have inundated social media with a landslide of photos of painted pebbles in the facebook group Rhyl Rocks, which gathers photos of equal parts artistry and hide and seek, with more than 4,000 people taking part across the town.

The phenomenon began in April, following the creation group where users post their handiwork as well a their finds while on the hunt for the hidden gems.

Group co-founder Leanne Wilkinson said: “I’m gobsmacked. I have a rock on the Emmerdale Set, Manchester airport, Isle of Man, Ireland and South of France. I know some have gone off to America, but I’m not sure where.

Inspiration for the group came from her daughter Shaye Wilkinson - a pupil of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School, 14 - who found a red rock with a horned smiley face created by the group Rammyrocks, prompting ms Wilkinson to do some digging.

Ms Wilkinson added: “I hadn’t heard about it before then, I searched to see if there was a group for Rhyl and found nothing, so I thought I would make a group and see what happened.

“I never expected it to get over 4,000 members, our members make it what it is and I can’t thank them enough.”

One eagle eyed rock hunter, Jessica McInerney found three of the rocks the day before giving labour on Monday, June 11 before returning with newborn daughter Isabella a week later to hide them for the next rock hunters.

Inspired by another community project to honour each of Rhyl’s 196 World War One war dead with individual plastic poppies - reported by The Journal in April - Mrs Wilkinson is now in the process of painting a rock for each of the fallen soldiers to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.