Loch Ness Monster sighted on Google Earth

Security guard James Cooke claims to have seen the fabled Loch Ness Monster while browsing on Google Earth.

Mr Cooke, who lives in Nottingham, was struck by a satellite photograph that shows a 65ft object resembling a sea creature just beneath the surface of the water.

Mr Cooke said: ‘I couldn't believe it. It's just like the descriptions of Nessie.'

Adrian Shine, a researcher for the Loch Ness Project, commented: ‘This is really intriguing. It needs further study.'

The Loch Ness Monster first came to the world's attention in 1993. Some ‘Nessie' enthusiasts believe the creature is a plesiosaur, an aquatic reptile that appeared at the start of the Jurassic period, and claimed that a series of vertebrae uncovered on the shores of Loch Ness were proof that there was a living plesiosaur in the Loch.

There was an underwater search for the creature in 2008, in which scientists used sonar and special cameras. However, earlier this year, it was reported that climate change may have killed the creature, and veteran monster-hunter Dr Robert Rines announced that the environmental conditions would no longer sustain it.

To study the Google Earth image, enter coordinates Latitude 57°12'52.13"N, Longitude 4°34'14.16"W.

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