VISITORS to a Horwich reservoir could be forgiven for doing a double take when this “beast” came into view.

Several anglers spotted the strange creature sticking its head out of the water in the dusky light.

There were at least 10 sightings at Curley’s Trout Fisheries, off Chorley Old Road, at the weekend, leaving many wondering if Bolton had its own Loch Ness Monster.

And this exclusive snap was taken by photographer Simon Mason on Saturday evening.

Stephen Kershaw, who lives at Curley’s Fisheries at Park Reservoir, Wallsuches, with his wife, Helen, and his eight-year-old son, Jon, said: “Who knows what it is? It really is a mystery.”

But he admitted a potential tourist boom would have to be put on hold as the underwater creature was simply a large branch blown from a tree in high winds.