'Great White' spotted in Devon

Surfers were today staying away from a popular north Devon beach after the reported sighting of a great white shark.

The creature, described as being more than 12 feet long, was said to have been seen off Baggy Point, Croyde.

Great whites can grow up to 25 feet long, and have up to 3,000 teeth. They have never officially been recorded off a British beach.

But Chaynee Hodgetts, 15, who is on holiday with her parents, is adamant. She said: "It was white on its belly, and its back was grey."

Chaynee, who hopes to pursue a career in marine biology, added: "The fin was black with a ragged edge. It seemed to be spitting the fish out after biting them, then going back for them, which is indicative of a great white."

She added: "I realised it was not a basking shark and it was too long to be a porbeagle. I could get a very good idea of its size by comparing it with dolphins."

Emily Hamilton works in a surf shop 500 yards from Baggy Point. She said: "I think we are all very wary now, and a lot of surfers here are refusing to go in the water until it cools down a bit, as they are concerned about shark attacks."

The sighting comes days before shark expert Richard Peirce, 55, is to embark on his own hunt for a great white in Cornish waters.