31 December 2023 , 11:08
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An expert reckons mystical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster aren't alone - and that there might be similar massive beasts lurking in British waters.
According to Andy McGrath, there might be many "living fossils" hiding away in UK rivers and lakes.
This means Nessie, the beloved mythical creature of Scotland's Loch Ness, could have some company.
Other elusive creatures might be as tricky to spot as the fabled lizard-like beast, whose existence has never been confirmed.
Andy, who recently shared his theories with the Daily Star, thinks there are other unknown creatures further south in some of England's most famous lakes.
10 most intriguing 'sightings' of the Loch Ness monster caught on camera in 2022
Andy McGrath said there might be many 'living fossils' hiding away in UK rivers and lakes (Andy McGrath)His likely candidates include Cornwall's Falmouth Bay, and Lake Windermere in the Lake District. After exploring Loch Ness and other lakes, McGrath believes these animals could be 'plesiosaur-like', a type of extinct water lizard, or related to them. He said: "After visiting Loch Ness and other lakes and studying the innumerable arguments regarding the possible identity of this 'creature', I am, personally, hold to the conviction that Nessie and Friends, most generally fall into the category of a 'plesiosaur-like', animal (an extinct aquatic lizard) or some other closely related 'living fossil'."
Recently, an alleged sighting of The Monster of Lake Windermere was captured by Ellie Williams, and expert McGrath says the sighting and photographs from the encounter resemble that of a plesiosaur Back in 1876, two fishermen claim to have encountered Morgawr, the "Beast of Falmouth Bay". It's not the last sighting as others reckon to have seen it as recent as 2000.
A couple, Irene and Derek Brown, reckon they've seen this "water-based dinosaur" that reminds them of "like one of those creatures you see in 1960s films," as they put it. An account of the creature matches their claims, noting a "flexible periscope-like neck" and "several humps" on its back.
Another elusive creature not as famous as Nessie is the Thames River Monster, Tasmin, who McGrath claims to have trailed after once. In 2016, for three weeks, sightings suggested that there were three humps moving around the Docklands of Canary Wharf. Mr McGrath said: "Many other exotic locales around the world also boast their Nessie-like inhabitants." He plans to gather these encounters into a book called Nessie and Friends, set to release in early 2024.
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