HOLIDAY makers in Dorset have spotted what they believe to be a small shark in the water close to where they were swimming in the waters at Durdle Door.

This comes only a week after Boscombe beach was cleared due to ‘large marine life’ and a fisherman was nearly capsized by a ‘mystery sea creature’.

Alison and Nigel Townsend were on their summer break with their three children for a beach day at Durdle Door when they took what they thought at the time was a perfectly ordinary holiday snap.

Upon sending them to a family group chat her eagle-eyed Dad, John Troughton who is a retired CID detective, spotted what appears to be a dorsal fin lurking in the water close to where Mr. Townsend was swimming.

Bournemouth Echo: Nigel Townsend swimming in the sea with what appears to be a 'sea creature' in the background

Speaking with the Echo, Mrs Townsend said: “We’re on holiday down here and my husband was swimming in the water, so I just took some photographs and sent them to a family group chat.

“My dad, who is good at spotting stuff as a former detective, said there’s a fin behind Nigel and it caused some hilarity.

“It was highly amusing that he was so oblivious to it. The kids thought it was really funny.”

The Townsend family, originally from Cheltenham, are currently staying at a friend's house in Westbourne while they take a summer break with their three children Lily, Lottie and Freddie.

Mrs Townsend, director of marketing at an accountancy firm, says had they noticed the suspected shark then they’d all have been over to see it and take photos.

She added: “Dad (Mr Townsend) is certainly a lot cooler in the kids eyes now. He wasn’t scared or threatened at all. It’s not everyday you go on holiday and are swimming near a shark.”

Marine expert, Ali Hood the Shark Trust’s Director of Conservation, told the Echo that due to the image it is hard to tell what it is but it is potentially a shark.

She said: “A photo can tell a thousand words, but unfortunately the combination of moving water, and distance means this image remains a mystery.

“The apparent shape could suggest a porpoise, a shark or even a flotsam such as a tree branch. Likely we'll never know, but we're always keen to get public reports of sightings of British marine life.”