THIS is the terrifying moment beachgoers spot a "shark fin" in the shallows at a popular UK beach.
As families enjoyed the waves at a beach in Waxham, Norfolk, on Sunday, many spectators were horrified to see a suspected shark on the horizon.
The 'shark' was swimming close to the sands as Brits frolicked about in swimwear completely unawareThe two metre pointed fin was spotted on the east coastOliver Phillips, 38, spotted the two metre pointed fin on the east coast.
The "shark" was swimming close to the sands as Brits frolicked about in swimwear completely unaware.
Oliver told The Sun: "The fin was absolutely massive - we just couldn't believe it.
Man fined £165 after outraging the internet by dying puppy to look like Pikachu"It was travelling up the coastline and looked like it was hunting.
"We began telling people on the beach about the shark but there was so much denial.
"I told a swimmer who was incredibly close - you should have seen the look on his face, he just ran out of the water."
The hospital care worker, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, added: "Never in my life have I seen something like that.
"It looked like a great white fin more than the other possibilities. I didn't see its teeth but it was a massive beast.
"It's in Waxham as well which is full of seals, so it's a prime area for them."
After quizzing locals Oliver discovered they had spotted basking sharks, orcas and dolphins in the area before.
And tourists visiting parts of the Norfolk coast had reported seeing small sharks washed up on beaches - including dogfish and smooth-hounds.
NHS worker Jamie-Lee Allan, of Wellingborough, Northants, was on holiday in Waxham with partner Paul Elkins, 34, and their children Elsie, 11, and Maddy, five.
She said: "All the locals were talking about it. They said they had seen something in the sea that looked like a shark.
Dog who 'always melts hearts' with his smile hopes to find a loving family"We were very worried, we didn't want to take the children down there. It was really concerning.
"But at least now we know there is nothing to worry about. It was definitely a case of 'panic over'. After we found out it was actually a seal we went down to the beach and it was fine.
"It's definitely something to tell people when we get home, a bit of fun. But at the time people were genuinely anxious that there was a shark in the area."
Jamie Minter, 53, of High Ferrers, Northants, was in Waxham with wife Tracey, 52, son Nathan, 35, and grandson Kaiden, eight.
He said: "A taxi driver told us to the beach and told us all about it - that a shark had been spotted.
"We were told to be careful on the beach. Obviously with where we are in the world, you don't suspect it will be a man-eater - but it does make you stop and think a bit.
"Hearing that makes you aware, especially as we had our grandson with us. And it could definitely have put some people off from going in the sea.
"In the end we were relieved it seems to have been a false alarm."
We were very worried, we didn't want to take the children down there. It was really concerning.
Jamie-Lee Allan
A dog walker added: “We heard that there was a shark prowling the beach which scared us as we like to let the dogs have a swim.
"It was a relief to find out it's not a shark but a soft cuddly seal - now we can let the dogs back in the water."
Despite it giving a fright to some, a great white expert confirmed it was not the deadly beast.
Dr Georgia Jones, who has a PhD in the fish and is the founder of charity SharkStuff, said: "It is a grey seal.
"It is very common for people to see what appears to be a fin out at sea - but it is actually a seal performing something called 'bottling'.
"This is how they rest or sleep - they hang or bob vertically in the water with just their heads sticking out.
"It's a way of conserving energy, but it can look a bit like a shark fin.
"Several times a year there are reports of fins in the sea, when actually they are just seals resting.
"It happens really often.
"There is a very close relative of the great white that you get in UK waters called the porbeagle shark.
"But on this occasion, I believe it's a bottling seal."
Local experts at Great Yarmouth Sealife Centre also agreed.
But there are few reports of a fish with a two metre fin encroaching on the shore.
Fears were growing last night over the safety of thousands of Brits who flock to the area and nearby Great Yarmouth.
It comes after dead seals, some chewed in half, were spotted on Waxham beach in 2017.
A great white expert confirmed the 'fin' was a seal who was 'bottling'Credit: GettyDespite it giving a fright to some, a great white expert confirmed it was not the deadly beast