NESSIE no longer lurks in Poole Park lake – but chances are she could be making a comeback.

A model cut out of the Loch Ness Monster appeared in the model boat lake, near the railway bridge, last week.

The prankster – or pranksters – involved even pushed a note through the Daily Echo’s Poole office to alert reporters.

This note, written on the back of a paper bag, said: “There’s some sort of really big fish thing stuck in the model boating part of Poole Park Lake!”

The lake’s own version of the Loch Ness monster was positioned just far enough out that it could not be removed without wading into the water. However, Nessie had become somewhat of a shipping hazard and was removed to make way for a meeting of Poole Model Yacht Club at the weekend.

And her removal has since divided club members, says club commodore Peter Wiles.

“Yes, we had to remove her for the meeting at the weekend but now we have some members who want her back and others who don’t,” he said.

Nessie’s fate looks likely to be decided at the model yacht club’s committee meeting tonight, when the light-hearted issue will be raised.

Mr Wiles said: “It looks likely that Nessie will be back in the lake, but probably not in the same position as it was before. I must say, whoever put it in did a good job. It took quite a bit of effort to get it out.”

Before its removal the model had been proving a big hit with youngsters.