Beachgoers have found a which washed up on the shore at a British beach and left them puzzled over what it could be.

Paula Regan stumbled across the eerie object while enjoying a with her husband Dave in Margate, Kent, on Monday, March 10, and a crowd gathered to look at it. Photos show what looks like a skeleton and mermaid hybrid, partially buried in sand and surrounded by seaweed- with a skeletal head and tail-like structure.

Speculation surrounding the bizarre item washed up by the includes theories it could be a ship's figurehead, flotsam, or an art installation.

Speaking of the moment they encountered it, Mrs Regan said: “It was last Monday - a beautiful, sunny day - and we thought we’d blow the cobwebs away with a walk along the beach.

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“The beach was completely empty, so it really stood out. At first, I thought it was a bit of driftwood or maybe a dead seal because I could see these funny tail fin things.

“When we got up to it, it was the weirdest thing. For the life of me, I can't tell you what it was. The head looked skeletal, but the back part - where the fishtail was - was soft and squidgy. It didn’t feel slimy or decomposed, but it was definitely strange.” Images show other beachgoers gathering around, appearing to try and figure out what they were looking at.

Mrs Regan, who lives in London with her husband, added: “People started coming over to look. A small crowd gathered - people walking their , passers-by - and even a man setting up the beach huts came over. Nobody could work out what it was.

“Some thought it might have fallen off a boat, while others suggested it could be a figurehead from a ship - like one of those carved mermaids. I just knew no one would believe us if we didn’t take a picture.”

Thanet District Council says it has made teams aware but declined to comment on the mysterious creature.

People have taken to social media to give their views on the strange discovery which included light-hearted comments. One person wrote: "I’m thinking Margate is the UK’s Area 51," while another questioned the find saying: "Is it real as in biologically or a toy, and is that how you found it sticking out of the sand like that hilarious."