A HUGE nocturnal sea creature rarely seen in our waters has washed up on a beach.

Holly Asargiotakis said she was “startled” when she spotted the beast while walking with a friend on Ferring Beach, near the Blue Bird Cafe on Monday.

The 29-year-old hairdresser said she first noticed the beach was scattered with dead crabs before her friend’s dog Dash alerted them to the presence of the enormous animal.

The Argus: The enormous marine animal was spotted on MondayondayThe enormous marine animal was spotted on Mondayonday

She estimated its length as somewhere between 4ft and 6ft long.

“Dash went up to it at first, probably thinking the same as us, then we kept him away from it. He was very interested,” Holly said.

“We didn’t know what it was at first. A lot of people have been saying it’s normal, but I’m really not a fan of the sea.

The Argus: Holly estimated it was somewhere between 4ft - 6ft longHolly estimated it was somewhere between 4ft - 6ft long

“I don’t like swimming in the sea, and this proves why.”

Sarah Ward, living seas officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, identified the creature as a European conger eel – one of the biggest eel species in the world.

She said it is likely it washed up on the beach in the aftermath of recent stormy weather.

Sarah told The Argus: “They do live in the Channel although they are not very often seen. They are nocturnal and hide away in rocky reefs or wrecks during the day, emerging at night to hunt.

“Conger eels live for many years, and don’t usually reach maturity until at least five years of age. Females are much larger than males, usually around two metres in length once mature. However, individuals up to three metres long have been recorded.

“It was well-known that there were congers under the West Pier in Brighton when it was safe to scuba dive under there.

“There have been recent reports of congers being washed up in Worthing, Rustington and Brighton.”

Sarah said that most wildlife that gets washed up on the beach is “harmless” and will be washed back out to sea at the next high tide.

However, stranded marine mammals should be reported to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme on 0800 652 0333.