Residents in Sefton, Merseyside, were stunned to see the creature on the sand – and the council says it is “not uncommon for fish species to wash up on the shoreline”

Mystery surrounds a giant “mermaid skeleton” creature which has washed up on a British beach.

Kirsty Jones and her family spotted the beast when they were enjoying a picnic on the sand in Sefton, Merseyside.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the mum said: “We found this while walking along the beach and would really like to know if anybody knows what it is.

“My initial words to my children were ‘this looks like a mermaid’. It had a fish-like tail.

“We had just gone for a picnic when we came across it, and we are very curious to find out what creature it may be.”

A creature that looks ‘like a mermaid’ washed up on a beach ( Image: Liverpool Echo)

People on social media have expressed their shock at the find.

One woman posted: “Maybe it’s a manatee skeleton?”

Another shared: “My husband said it is some sort of whale or porpoise.”

A third user shared: “Rather difficult to identify.”

Sefton Council, controlled by the Labour Party, could not confirm what the creature was. However, it did state it is “not uncommon for fish species to wash up on Sefton’s shorelines”.

Another strange creature washed up on a beach nearby in Crosby earlier this week.

Veronica Parratt came across the animal – which Sefton’s Green team has since confirmed to be a harbour porpoise during a walk along the sand.