Loch Ness Monster hunter Gordon Holmes is holding an exhibition on his astonishing efforts to find the mythical beast in celebration of Nessie’s 80th birthday existence.

And it will include his world-famous footage of a mysterious aquatic shape which he filmed moving through the loch in 2007.

Cryptozoologist Mr Holmes, of Shipley, has put together film and sonar studies from more than 14 research trips to create a two-week exhibition at Shipley Library from next week.

“It opens on May 2 – which is the 80th anniversary of the first mention in print of there being a monster in the Loch,” said retired Bradford University science technician Mr Holmes.

The amazing film was made when he was using sound recording equipment to listen for evidence of the creature.

He said: “It was around 9.50pm but the sun was still shining. I was about to set off for my campsite when I suddenly spotted something moving in the water and so I dashed to get my video camera.

“It took about 30 seconds to spot it again but I managed to pick it up again.

“It was very black and was travelling about six miles an hour. It seemed to be just breaking the surface,” Mr Holmes said at the time of his discovery.

Since then sceptics claimed the apparent movement might have been wind forming a “cat’s paw” on the water’s surface.

But Mr Holmes’ enthusiasm has remained undimmed, as his exhibition shows.

“I find it fascinating and I know other people, especially kiddies will too.

“It’s not just photos, there are all the hydrophonic surveys and equipment on display too.

“During a gloomy economic time, I thought this could be something to cheer Shipley up,” said Mr Holmes, 61.