Imagine you're walking along the beach when something partly buried in the sand catches your eye. You walk over to investigate hoping to find something of interest, only to be greeted by the horrifying sight of a 4ft long dead snake.
Well for one dog walker in St Annes this story is all too real.
While it's almost a given that you'll find seashells, seaweed and the occasional piece of driftwood during a casual stroll along the shoreline, sometimes what washes up on the beach can be downright weird, wonderful or utterly disgusting.
While it's almost a given that you'll find seashells, seaweed and the occasional piece of driftwood during a casual stroll along the shoreline, sometimes what washes up on the beach can be downright weird, wonderful or utterly disgusting.
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The sea is full of surprises, some of which find their way to the shore. Photo: photoeverywhere
. '4ft long' dead snake
Rachel Jeffrey certainly had a shock when she was out on the beach walking her dog Nelson in June 2017. They found a dead snake, estimated to be around 4ft long, on the tideline at North Beach, St Annes close to the back of the Thursby Rest home. Photo: Rachel Jeffrey
. Tiny clear blobs of jelly
Thousands of tiny blobs of jelly washed up on the beach in June of this year (2020). It was initially believed that the creatures were salps, a primitive type of marine invertebrate. However, Debbie Williams, Lancashire's Living Seas Project Officer, said they were more likely to be Sea Gooseberries - a type of comb jelly. Photo: Michael Holmes
. Unexploded 'bomb'
A metal object measuring around four inches long and an inch-and-a-half inch wide was uncovered by a metal detector-user in July 2019. The device was found by lifelong metal detectorist Alistair Wilks, 51, and his partner Kath Firth, 60, close to the Mirrorball in South Shore. The couple suspected it was an unexploded mortar, but one emergency official believed it could have just been a fishing weight. The Coastguard put a 20 metre cordon in place while explosive experts from the military dealt with the mysterious object.
. Baby dolphin
A baby dolphin was saved after being found washed up - but alive - on the beach opposite Norbreck Castle in June 2016. With the help of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue team, RNLI Blackpool and the public, police were able to release the harbour porpoise into the water where it reportedly swam back out to sea. Photo: Blackpool Police
. Light fitting believed to be from the North Pier’s Indian Pavilion
A light fitting believed to be from the North Pier’s Indian Pavilion, which was destroyed by a fire in September 1921, was found on the sand under the pier following weeks of stormy weather in March of this year (2020).
. Mermaid's purses
If you’ve ever been beachcombing for treasures along the shoreline you may have stumbled across a mermaid's purse. They may not look like much, but these dried-out leathery pouches are actually the used egg cases of elasmobranchs – the collective name for sharks, skates and rays.
. Riverdance shipwreck
The Riverdance ferry had set sail from Ireland on its route to Heysham on January 31, 2008 when it was hit by a huge wave during a storm which brought winds of up to 80mph. The wave made the cargo shift and the ferry list, causing it to run aground at Anchorsholme. The RNLI, helicopter and rescue services were all mobilised and everyone aboard was taken to safety during the course of the night, but the ferry remained on the beach for months.
. Thousands of packets of chocolate biscuits
The first thing that fell off the Riverdance shipwreck were thousands of packets of digestive biscuits, resulting in soggy chocolate biscuits being strewn all over the shoreline. Photo: Christos Giakkas
7. Riverdance shipwreck
The Riverdance ferry had set sail from Ireland on its route to Heysham on January 31, 2008 when it was hit by a huge wave during a storm which brought winds of up to 80mph. The wave made the cargo shift and the ferry list, causing it to run aground at Anchorsholme. The RNLI, helicopter and rescue services were all mobilised and everyone aboard was taken to safety during the course of the night, but the ferry remained on the beach for months.
8. Thousands of packets of chocolate biscuits
The first thing that fell off the Riverdance shipwreck were thousands of packets of digestive biscuits, resulting in soggy chocolate biscuits being strewn all over the shoreline. Photo: Christos Giakkas
9. Hundreds of plastic cups
Hundreds of disposable plastic cups followed the sodden biscuits as more cargo spilled overboard from the stricken ferry. The cups were so light they were scattered and blown everywhere, with people reportedly finding cups for years afterwards.
10. Bags of expired paracetamol
If thousands of chocolate biscuits and hundreds of plastic cups weren't enough, bags of out-of-date paracetamol being shipped back for disposal also tumbled off the grounded ship. Photo: Arria Belli
11. Bizarre crabs
These strange animals spotted on Blackpool beach left locals puzzled in 2019. The 'masked crab' - also known as the helmet and sand crab - have a pointed, horn-like nose. The creatures burrow backwards into the sand to hide themselves, and use their two long antennae as a form of breathing apparatus. They are found in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, and can grow to around 1.6 inches long - not including their noses!
12. Dead dolphin
Julian Heald was walking along Knott End beach from his home on Beech Grove when he came across this gruesome discovery in October 2016. Photo: Julian Heald