That is the reaction of a Norfolk Doctor Who fan after two episodes of the sci-fi show which have not been seen for more than 60 years were found in a cardboard box.

Fans of the BBC show are celebrating after episodes of the 1965 story of the Daleks' Master Plan were found by the Film is Fabulous (FIF) initiative in a collection of vintage films.

Among Doctor Who enthusiasts who were thrilled about the discovery was Norwich fan Paul Hayes, the author of Pull to Open - a book about the origins of the programme and its first episodes.

Two episodes of Doctor Who from 1965 have been found by Film is Fabulous. (Image: Doctor Who / BBC)

Paul Hayes, an author from Norwich. (Image: Paul Hayes)

He said: "It's difficult to convey to people who aren't fans the sheer, thrilling excitement of something like this for those who love Doctor Who. 

"Imagine you'd just seen Norwich City win the FA Cup final in a penalty shoot-out, and you might be somewhere close.

"While we knew, thanks to the efforts of the Film is Fabulous team, that something would be coming back this year, to have two episodes so soon, and from such a great story as Master Plan is, I think, beyond most people's wildest dreams."

The episodes feature the first incarnation of the Doctor, played by William Hartnell, tackling a Dalek plan to take over the solar system in a storyline only ever shown in the UK.

The first episode, titled The Nightmare Begins, was part of the third season of Doctor Who and was aired in November 1965.

The second recovered episode, Devil's Planet, was broadcast two weeks later.

Cromer-based Mark Stuckey, a panel member of FIF and and a star on BBC's The Repair Shop, has also shared what this discovery means to him.

He said: "It is an exciting time and this is just the beginning. It takes you back in time."

Mr Stuckey's own passion for the show started at the age of seven, when he sat down and watched the very first episode in 1963, and said it had "influenced and changed his life".

Mark Stuckey, from Cromer, who is a part of the Film is Fabulous initiative. (Image: Mark Stuckey)

These two episodes are the first lost Doctor Who episodes to be announced to the world since 2013. The recovery reduces the number of missing episodes to 95.

A special screening of the two episodes organised by FIF, with Peter Purves - who played the Doctor's assistant Steven Taylor - as guest of honour is being held in London on April 4.

Details of the event are yet to be announced, but it will take place on the same day the two restored episodes are made available in full on BBC iPlayer.

Film is Fabulous is a charitable trust which preserves and saves film collections and television episodes from being destroyed, before sending them back to the original copyright holders so they can once again be enjoyed by viewers.

The organisation is seeking donations to help it carry on its work. Find out more on its Facebook page.

© Norwich Evening News