Science-mad Gordon Holmes, of Shipley, hopes it is the latter after capturing footage of what he believes could be Nessie'.

The amazing footage, which needs to be verified by experts, came after a chance spotting by the 55-year-old Bradford University technician who was at Loch Ness using specialist sound recording equipment he has designed himself to listen for evidence of the creature.

He was taking a break from his work and walking on the cliffs 70ft above Loch Ness, taking in the views with his binoculars on Saturday evening when he made the discovery.

He said: "It was around 9.50pm but the sun was still shining. I was about to set off for my camp site 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."

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