Found: Loch Ness monster

2003-07-16 11:39

London - A Scottish pensioner has found the Loch Ness monster - long dead and fossilised - the Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

Gerald McSorley, 67, found the fossilised remains of a long-necked, carnivorous sea reptile, which existed 150 million years ago, while walking along the shoreline.

"I literally tripped over the fossil in the water. When I put my hands down to steady myself I saw something unusual and picked it up," the retired scrap metal merchant said.

"Once I had cleaned off about an inch of green algae, and I could see the texture of the bone, it became clear I had an important fossil," he added.

McSorley had stumbled on four perfectly preserved vertebrae of a plesiosaur - the prehistoric creature most commonly associated with modern "Nessie" sightings.

The fossil, which is set in grey limestone, complete with spinal chord and blood vessels, was found in shallow water, and scientists at the National Museum in Scotland confirmed the fossil - the first of its kind to be found at Loch Ness - proved that a 10 metre "monster" once lived in the area.

Lyall Anderson, a curator at the National Museum of Scotland, said: "Professional palaeontologists go out looking for things like this and usually find nothing. Mr McSorley is to be congratulated on a very good find." - Sapa-DPA

- SAPA